Aiding a Struggling Student
Ira Senak
What type of issue is the student facing?
Developmental/Disability
Temporary
Personal
Is this new problem just a temporary situation?
Have they broken up with their boyfriend/girlfriend?
Are they in a fight with their parents?
Have they not been getting enough sleep this week?
Are they stressed due to exams or some other situation?
Are they just having a generally bad couple of days?
Teacher will make appropriate accommodations for the student:
- provide a time extension
- offer appropriate guidance
- etc.
and report the situation to admin for follow up.
Teacher will observe the student over the next few weeks and ensure the situation evens out/things return to normal
Is there an IEP for the student?
Yes
No
Teacher will follow the guidelines of the IEP and provide appropriate support to the student as directed.
Teacher will work with the admin team, parents, counselors, etc. to ensure proper care and differentiation is provided to enable the student to achieve.
Are the parents aware of the situation/cooperative?
Yes
No
Teacher will report findings to the admin team/support counselors and participate as necessary in all aspects of the intervention going forward involving construction and implementation of an IEP.
Teacher will provide whatever support/help they can under the circumstances and will rely on the admin team to discuss the situation with the parents further to try to bring them into the covnersation.
Academic
Is the academic problem caused by personal or developmental issues?
Yes
No
Is the problem purely one of foundational ability/knowedge?
Teacher will discuss the situation with admin and either work on a plan to move the student to a more level appropriate class if possible or make a plan to provide foundational support through tutoring, differentiation, or other forms of help.
Is the situation severe?
Yes
Teacher will refer the student to student support services for further intervention.
No
Teacher will report the situation to admin and continue to observe and report as the situation develops.
Teacher will provide appropriate accommodations and interventions where necessary to ensure the student does not fall behind.
Is the situation resolved?
Yes
No
Maybe
No
Teacher will assess the student to determine if proper foundational knowledge exists.
It doesn't.
Is there an issue between the teacher and student that is leading to academic issues in class?
Cultural?
Relational?
Personality?
Yes
No
Teacher will work with the student/student support to identify the issue and work past it.
Is the issue caused by things such as poor time management, poor study skills, poor organizational skills, etc.?
Yes
No
Teacher will provide appropriate help to aid the student in developing these missing skills.
Teacher will report the issue to student support for further intervention and assistance.
Teacher will report the situation to admin and student support services and work as a team to identify the root of the problem and develop a plan to aid the student.
References
How to identify & help struggling students. (2021, October 13). McGraw Hill. https://www.mheducation.com/highered/ideas/student-engagement/how-to-identify-help-struggling-students
New ways to identify struggling students. (2020, March 30). The Hechinger Report. https://hechingerreport.org/new-ways-to-identify-struggling-students/