At Risk: Three Interventions to Abolish It

So...I've been thinking again...I was privileged to be a session presenter at the recent CLAS conference at the Mobile Convention/Riverview Center. I was asked to speak about At Risk indicators and how administrators can use their STI software to develop methods to flag and intervene for students with multiple indicators for being at risk. I had a wonderful co-presenter, Dafne Stokes. Without her, I would have been lost as to how to use the software. It has been several years since I have looked at data management software.

As I studied for the presentation, I realized that I had many "at risk" indicators in my own life. Strangely enough, I never thought about myself as "at risk" growing up. In my session, one lady asked the question, "Why did the boy I know wind up in jail, and you wind up in front of us speaking when you both had similar "at risk" factors?" That got me to thinking... (I know, dangerous...) Why did I never feel "at risk?" Three key interventions were in place.

First, my MOTHER...She had a way about letting you know she didn't allow you to be less than your best, (and it often included a trip to the peach tree.) My mom believed in rewards and punishment. If I did well, I was always rewarded; if I didn't do well...let's just say I got acquainted with the peach orchard only a few times. Thankfully I was a quick study. My younger sister, not so much...

Mom provided me with opportunities to be successful. I don't remember her studying with me too many times, but I do remember her checking my work. I certainly remember her checking my report card. Mom decided that we didn't need entertainment from television in our home, so reading became my past time. I could read a short novel in a single night. I used to read at least five books a week. I have been to many countries, and was swooned by many magical knights, princes, and cowboys. So, I am a proponent of fiction. You would be surprised how much you can learn from a great love story.

Second, my TEACHERS and ADMINISTRATORS... I remember every teacher I ever had. They all made a huge impact on my life. They were my role models, my heroes and heroines. They pushed me; challenged me; debated me; but most importantly, they cared about my success as a student. Some of them are the reasons I chose to pursue a teaching career with a science focus.

My educational experience was in a rural school without a whole lot of enrichment opportunities, but what we didn’t have in technology, we made up for in innovativeness and creativity. We may not have been able to “watch” great scientific experiments through media and technology, but we lived it. Bug collections (I can’t believe I actually euthanized all those little guys.), leaf collections (never forget the poison ivy), DNA molecules out of gum drops, and dissecting pigs while selling Krispy Kreme donuts out of the same room for our yearbook fundraiser. Yeah, probably shouldn’t divulge all that information, but hey, the statue of limitations is probably exceeded.

Finally, my FAITH… I truly believe the faith I have in God as well as myself has played an important role in my life. The purpose of this blog is not to get in a theological debate with anyone; I just know how important my faith has been in my life. I know it has been faith that has pulled me through many dark places in my life. So while some may choose to discredit its importance for them, it was critical for me.

I have also believed in myself and my capabilities. I am a firm believer in intrinsic motivation, self-efficacy, self-regulated learning, and self-reflection. While I enjoy and even solicit the approval of others, I am most concerned with my own self-worth. Self-love is important. Even the scriptures admonish us to “love you neighbor as yourself.” Self-preservation is probably one of the most powerful forces in nature.

So, what keeps one person in route to success while others fail…Family, Faculty, and Faith…We should never underestimate the power of any or all of these powerful influences in our lives. What should happen if one or more is lacking? We should reinforce students with intensive help where we exist. If we are family, we should support our kids with everything we have (I try to practice what I preach.); if we are faculty, we need to individualize every student and know their limitations and risk factors; we should also believe in the possibilities for our students and ourselves.

No matter what roles we have in the lives of students, we need to recognize the importance of the role. I firmly believe every movement in the universe affects all remaining atoms of matter. What are your movements doing to the universe? What are your movements doing for the At Risk kids in your life? Make your movements count...Gently start a reaction that moves them in the right directions for their lives.

SBO