Regardless of teachers’ best intentions and practices, some students will always face an uphill battle to meet expected standards. The Web offers a variety of resources, information, and tools to help teachers and parents support struggling students.

Overcoming Obstacles to Success

Student success in the classroom can be hindered by such factors as inadequate study habits, life circumstances that interfere with learning, poor awareness of teacher expectations, learning disabilities, and psychological impairments. The American Psychological Society (www.psychologicalscience.org/teaching/tips/tips_0203.cfm) takes a look at these factors and provides tips for educators, emphasizing the need to celebrate the diversity of students and tailor teaching methods to different styles whenever possible.

In the United Kingdom, the Prince’s Trust (www.princes-trust.org.uk) helps young people overcome barriers through practical support that includes training, mentoring, and financial assistance. Follow the site's “Common Cause” link and click on “Issues and Solutions” to view the Trust's discussion of factors that affect underachievement, including prior attainment, student mobility, and family background. Another helpful resource from the United Kingdom is the National Grid for Learning (www.ngfl.gov.uk), a searchable network of links to Web sites offering news articles, lesson plans, and other resources.

Assessments and Supplements

Excellent assessment tools and supplemental content programs are available to help struggling students. Visit http://specialed.about.com/cs/literacy/a/readers.htm for suggestions for helping challenged readers, and check out www.pbs.org/wgbh/misunderstoodminds/writingstrats.html for help for struggling writers at school and at home. Parents can act on behalf of a child with a learning disability by requesting that the school system evaluate that student’s eligibility to receive special education provisions and accommodations. A template letter is available at www.additudemag.com/ourkids.asp?DEPT_NO=305&SUB_NO=3.

You’ll find the learning solutions recommended by Math and Reading Help (http://math-and-reading-help-for-kids.org/index.html) an effective supplement to any curriculum. Resources include math and reading games and a variety of tutoring solutions, including live online tutoring. The National Association of School Psychologists offers a parents’ guide to study skills that support learning at www.nasponline.org/publications/cq323studyskills.html. A report available on the Web site of the government of New Brunswick, Canada (www.gnb.ca/0000/publications/ss/resourcedoc.pdf), guides teachers in choosing appropriate methods, strategies, and programs to raise struggling students’ achievement to acceptable levels.

Rethinking Learning for Students at Risk

Students identified as at risk often receive a watered-down curriculum that emphasizes basic skills without engaging students in interesting and challenging learning. The North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL) provides a look at this crucial issue at www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/students/atrisk/at700.htm. The report includes program models and action steps that administrators and teachers can take to promote meaningful learning for at-risk students. NCREL also offers tips on creating a caring school climate, such as gathering interdisciplinary teams of teachers to encourage a sense of belonging in large schools, and on fostering student resiliency at www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/students/atrisk/at600.htm.

The Council for Exceptional Children’s Information Center on Disabilities and Gifted Education (http://ericec.org/digests/e500.html) draws a connection between incorporating minority students’ language and culture into the school program and ensuring student success. A school program that respects the language and culture of its students empowers students and gives them confidence to get involved in the learning process. This site includes the New Zealand Department of Education's list of ways schools can create a welcoming climate for minority families and promote children’s pride in their linguistic talents.

Meeting Standards

In this time of high-stakes testing, many students are not prepared to successfully complete high school exit exams and rigorous graduation requirements. The Democratic Leadership Council (www.dlc.org/ndol_ci.cfm?kaid=139&subid=273&contentid=252605) shares the stories of two states, Virginia and Massachusetts, that provide extra support to help students meet the tough state graduation requirements without lowering standards. One resource offers a look at early findings and key questions about remediation efforts for struggling students in Massachusetts’ three largest urban school districts (www.massinsight.org/docs/whatweknownow.pdf) and examines the performance of students by gender, ethnicity, income, English language learner status, and attendance profiles.

Evaluating Your School’s Support

View a list of questions and parents’ comments at www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/showarticle/ca/19/improve to assess your school’s efforts to help students facing learning challenges. The Iowa Association of School Boards provides a similar look at how schools can help students overcome reading difficulties. Their site (www.ia-sb.org/studentachievement/reading_Key6.asp) offers a two-pronged approach to improving students’ reading, which combines highly effective classroom instruction with safety net programs.

Klea Scharberg is a Project Coordinator for Constituent Partnerships at ASCD; kscharbe@ascd.org.