What is the relationship between the definition of at risk and the risk factors that contribute to lack of student success and students being labeled at risk?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Ans: Answers to this question will vary but should include elements of the following: Students are considered at risk for school failure if their family conditions and life events affect their school lives. Academic, behavioral, and social problems can be a result of key “risk factors.” Students who have limited experiences and fewer opportunities due to family situations enter school at risk. Conditions that contribute to at risk are poverty, homelessness, migrant family factors, health, and conditions of schools. Poverty is a risk factor that stems from the socioeconomic status of a family and then proceeds to lead to limited reading and writing before entering school. Homelessness creates disruption and frequent transitions from school to school loosing quality time in the education program. Migrant status reflects the family moving from place to place to find work and many times children assisting with work versus coming to school. A lack of health care creates conditions in which students are unable to learn due to lack of proper medicine and care. At-risk schools create an at-risk environment as students who attend these schools may be receiving a substandard education and have fewer opportunities for success.