Why are students at-risk?

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Self-Fulfilment

Needs

Self-Worth Needs

Love and Friendship Needs

Physical Needs

Skills needed to be successful

“There are no bad kids. There are only bad environments, bad examples, bad thinking”

Father Edward J. Flanagan

Founder of Boys Town

Social Skills

Communication Skills Basic Skills

Academic Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Effective Practices

•Sound theoretical foundation in the classroom

•Strong positive teacher-student relationship

•Instruction that motivates

•Organizational and group management techniques

•Problem-solving behavior management technique

The job of an educator is to teach students to see the vitality in themselves.

Joseph Campbell

Affects Student outcome

Modeling behavior

Providing a positive

environment

Building relationships

Referral Process

Identify who you feel is at-risk› failure in one or more subject area› truancy issues› multiple office referrals› low socio-economic status› alcohol/drug use› low academic skills› retained one or more times› multiple suspensions and/or an expulsion

Intervention

In the classroom & during advisory› control the variables› have influence› Strong relationships› Create a positive environment

Safety & belonging Help them feel unique Help them develop their self-esteem

Intervention

Create the opportunity to engage one- on –one time› Advisory meeting› Before school › Afterschool› Meeting with student and/or parent

Determine Specific NeedsGather data and attach documentation

Academic Social Skills Rating Scale Observation Referral Form

Referral to P.L.S.P

Student needs Student goals Duration of time Assess student skills Monitor progress Determine results Ask for feedback

Concept Chart for Program Improvement ProjectPositive Life Skills Program: Students building skills for life and planning for their futures

• Objective 6

Students develop a career portfolio

• Objective 4 & 5 Improve

student skills & grades

• Objective 2 & 3

Educate Teachers

about: P.L.S.P details &

referral process

• Objective 1:

Obtain

information & increase staff effectivness

Activities:-research

-survey teachers-market program

-develop curriculum

Activities:-plan staff

development-hold a training

session-analyse surveys-track referrals

Activities:-design a sample

-incorporate career development into

program-assist students with

career portfolio developmentActivities:

-assess student skills upon entry

-gather data and survey staff

-track student grades-measure progress of

skills and grades

References

McTavish, S. (2004). Life Skills: 225 ready-to-use health activities for success and well-being. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Connolly, T., Dowd, T., Criste, A., Nelson, C. & Tobias, L. (1995). The Well-Managed Classroom: Promoting student success though social skills instruction. Boys Town, NE: The Boys Town Press.

Schargel, F. (2005). Best Practices: To help at-risk learners. Larchmont, NY: Eye On Education.