Identifying and Helping Struggling Students in the Classroom

Early intervention

A student who is struggling to keep up

Students with diagnosed learning disabilities

Helping a Struggling Learner or a child with an identified learning disability

This is the ideal strategy, to catch learning difficulties before the student falls behind.

This is how schools approach special learning in Finland. See the video on Finland's Formula For School Success

If early intervention has not occurred, then it is important to be aware of students who are struggling to keep up, or starting to fall behind.

Signs of struggling learners include:
Behavior issues, Homework takes the wrong amount of time, Too many sick days, Avoiding talking about school and Social withdrawal.
http://www.doorwaysarizona.com/5-signs-student-struggling/

A student may be in the classroom that has been previously diagnosed with a learning disability and has an IEP.

In this instance, it is important to recommend an evaluation

Follow the 10 Basic Steps in Special Education: Referral is made by teacher or parent; Child is evaluated; IEP meeting is scheduled; IEP meeting is held; Services are provided; Progress is measured and reported to parents; IEP is reviewed; Child is re-evaluated at least every 3 years. A more detailed description of each step can be found at this link: http://www.parentcenterhub.org/steps/

If this is the case, it is important to know the student's disability, what accommodations are needed, and then to provide them in the classroom

Review the IEP on a regular basis with the parents

Monitor the student's progress

Keep up on the re-evaluation of the student (at least every 3 years, called a triennial).

Break the class into small groups by reading, math or interest level

Set up stations for each student to progress at their own pace

provide oral and visual cues for instruction

color code subjects

provide organizational systems for schoolwork

allow the student to keep an extra set of books at home

send home educational games to reinforce learning

allow the use of audiobooks

allow extra time for tests or assignments

provide one-on-one or small group help with a special ed teacher outside the classroom daily or a few times a week

slow down instruction/speak more slowly

provide pre-written notes or lesson outlines

Use differentiated learning strategies. This video is a simple, practical overview of how that can be achieved in the classroom )

Use technology to help the student succeed