EDFD 6053

The At-Risk Student

 

Dr. Sid T. Womack

Crabaugh 216,  9: 15- 10: 50 MTWRF

Office: Crabaugh 211   Phone: 968-0423 Fax: 964-0811

Office hours: 8-9 MTWRF by appointment; 3-4 MTWRF daily

Email: swomack@atu.edu

Web: http://education.atu.edu/people/swomack/6053news.html

FTP:  ftp://tdata.atu.edu  for course materials

 

Organizing theme for the course:  Professionals for the future.

Relation to the Conceptual Framework: 

            1.  All human beings grow, develop, and learn.

2.  Educational processes have key components.

3.  Educational practices are systemically coherent and developmentally appropriate.

4.  Educators are moral and ethical professionals.

5.  Educators focus on maximizing growth, development, and learning opportunities for all students.

 

IV        Catalog Description:    

 

The At-Risk Child in the School Environment.  A seminar designed to investigate the characteristics of the at-risk student and to investigate the teaching strategies utilized to meet the needs of the at-risk student in the regular classroom.

 

Rationale:        The term At-risk student in this course refers to the student who is at risk of not completing high

school.  A knowledge of at-risk factors helps teachers understand the complex nature of the student's world and take steps to make school a more nurturing, supportive climate for learning.  A knowledge of at-risk factors will help the educator make more informed decisions about interventions and about assistance by other agencies. This course addresses Standard Four of NCATE heavily. 

 

V.        Textbook:

 

Piazza, R.  (1994).   Case studies for teaching special needs and at-risk students:  Delmar Publishing Co.

 

VI.       Supplemental Reading List.

 

Allen, T.  (2000).  Creating community in your classroom.  The Education Digest, 65 (7), 23-27.

Anderson, C.  (1997).  By what token economy?  Teaching Exceptional Children, 29 (4), 65-67.

Andrews, J. F., Jordan, D. L. (1998).  Multimedia stories for deaf children.  The Council for Exceptional Children, 30 (5), 28-33.

Armstrong, T.  (1996).  ADD:  Does it really exist?  Phi Delta Kappan, 77 (6), 424‑428.

            Arnold, K., & Subotnik, R. (1995).  Mentoring the gifted:  a differentiated model.  Educational Horizons, 72 (3), 118‑123.

Beacon Press.  (1998),  The real ebonics debate:  power, language, and the education of African-American children.  Boston:  Beacon Press.

                Bemer, J., Haan, A., & Vander, J.  (2000).  Implications for computer-mediated communications for people who are visually impaired in dealing with complex visualizations tasks.  Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 94 (7), 453-456.


Benson, S. H.  (2000).  Make mine an A.  Educational Leadership, 57 (5), 30-32.


Block, M. & Burke, K.  (1999).  Are children with disabilities receiving appropriate physical education?  Teaching Exceptional Children, 31 (3), 18-22.

Blough, L., & Rittenhouse, R. (1995).  Gifted students with hearing impairments:  suggestions for teachers.  Teaching Exceptional Children, 27 (4),

Cassel, R. M. (2003).  A high school drop-out prevention program for the at-risk sophomore students.  Education, 123 (4), 649-655.

Castellano, J. & Lozano-Rodrigues, J.  (1999).  Assessing limited English proficient migrant students for special education.  ERIC Clearing House on Special Education:  ED 425 892.         

                Cherry-Cruz, T.  (2001).  Tell me a story:  enhancing literacy through the techniques of storytelling.  The ASHA Leader, 6(12), 4-5, 18.

Cousin, P. T., & Prentice, L.  (1993).  Moving beyond the textbook to teach students with

 learning disabilities.  Teaching Exceptional Learners, 26 (1), 14‑17.

Culkin, J.  (1970).  Summerhill:  For and against.  New York:  Hart Publishing.

Dawson, G.  (1995).  Your autistic child.  Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 23 (5), 569‑571.

Delpit, Lisa (1995)  Other people's children:  cultural conflict in the classroom.  New York:  New

 Press.

Fachin, K.  (1996).  Teaching Tommy:  a second‑grader with attention deficit hyperactivity

 disorder.  Phi Delta Kappan, 77 (6), 437‑441.

Fueyo, V.  (1997).  Below the tip of the iceberg, teaching language-minority students.  Teaching

 Exceptional Children, 30  (1), 61-65.

Fernandez, R. C. (2000).  No hablo Ingles:  bilingualism and multiculturalism in preschool

 settings.  Early Childhood Special Education, 27 (3), 159-163.

                Gately, S.  (2004).  Developing concept of word:  the work of emergent readers.  Teaching Exceptional Children, 36 (6), 16-22.

Geary, D.  (2004).  Mathematics and learning disabilities.  Journal of Learning Disabilities, 37 (1), 4-15.

            Geiger, G., & Drecktrah, M.  (2001).  Diversity:  All in the family.  Kappa Delta Pi, 38 (1), 37-39.

Gil, E.  (1983).  Outgrowing the pain:  A book for and about adults abused as children.  New

 York:  Dell.

Heller, I., Manning, D., Pavur, D., & Wagner, K.  (1998).  Let's all sign! Teaching Exceptional

 Children, 30 (3), 50-53.  

Holt, J.   (1995) How children learn.  Reading, Mass.:  Perseua Books.

Holt, J.  (1995)  How children fail. Reading, Mass.:  Perseua Books.

            Jones, D.  (2000).  Disclosure of child sexual abuse.  Child Abuse and Neglect, The International Journal, 24 (2), 269-271.

Junge, E.  (1995).  Mathematical self‑efficacy gender differences in gifted/talented adolescents.  Gifted Child Quarterly, 39 (1), 22‑26.

Klingner, J. K., & Vaughn, S.  (1999).  Students' perceptions of instruction in inclusion classrooms:  Implications for students with learning disabilities.  Exceptional Children, 66 (1), 23-37.

Komro, K. A.  (1999).  Peer leadership in school and community alcohol use prevention activities.  Journal of Health Education, 30 (4), 202-208.

Kozol, J.  (1992).  Savage Inequalities.  New York:  Harper Trade.

Kozol, J.  (2000).  Ordinary resurrections:  children in the years of hope.  New York:  Crown Publishers.

Lazarus, B. D. (1996).  Flexible skeletons: guided notes for adolescents.  Teaching Exceptional Children, 28 (3), 36-40.

Leong, P.  (1997).  Early identification of gifted minority kindergarten students in Newark, N. J.  Gifted Child Quarterly, 41 (3), 76-83.

Manset, G., & Semmel, M.  (1997).  Are inclusive programs for students with mild disabilities effective?  A comparative review of model programs.  The Journal of Special Education, 31 (2), 155‑180.

Maroney, S., Finson, K., Beaver, J. & Jensen, M. (2003).  Preparing for successful inquiry in inclusive science classrooms.  Teaching Exceptional Children, 36 (1), 18-25.

            Mastropieri, M.  (1995).  Teaching science to students with disabilities in general education settings.  Teaching Exceptional Learners, 27 (4), 10-13.


McCarty, H., & Chalmers, L.  (1997).  Bibliotherapy:  intervention and prevention.  Teaching Exceptional Children, 29 (6), 12‑17.

McGaha, C. G., & Farran, D. C.  (2001).  Interactions in an inclusive classroom: The effects of visual status and setting.  Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 95 (2), 80-94. 

McQuillan, J.  (1998).  Seven myths about literacy in the United States.  Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation, 6 (1), 1-6.

McCray, A. D. (2001).  Middle school students with reading disabilities.  The Reading Teacher, 55 (3), 298-300.

Moore-Brown, B., Montgomery, J., Hishida, B., & Sanger, D.  (2002).  Communication and violence—new roles for speech-language pathologists.  The ASHA Leader, 7 (8), 4-5, 15.

Orenstein, Y.  (1996).  Forging the new fathers:  why contemporary fatherhood must change.  Woodacre, California:  Harmonia Press.

Otaiba, S. & Smartt. S.  (2003).  Summer sound camp—Involving parents in early literacy intervention for children with speech and language delays.  Teaching Exceptional Children, 35 (3), 30 -34.

Parette, H. P., & Petch-Hogan, B.  (2000).  Approaching families:  facilitating culturally/linguistically diverse family involvement.  Teaching Exceptional Children, 33 (2), 4-9.

Pipher, M.  (1994). Reviving Ophelia: Saving the selves of adolescent girls.  New York:  Ballantine Books.

Pomplun, M.  (1997).  When students with disabilities participate in cooperative groups.  Exceptional Children, 64 (1), 49-58.

Reiff, J.  (1997).  Bridging home and school through multiple intelligences.  Childhood Education, 72 (3), 164-167.

Rimm, S. B.  ( 1996).  How to parent so children will learn.  New York:  Three Rivers Press.

Rimm, S. B.  (1999). See Jane win : the Rimm report on how 1,000 girls became successful women. New York:  Crown Publishing.

Roderick, M., & Camburn, E.  (1999).  Risk and recovery from course failure in the early years of high school.  American Education Research Journal, 36 (2), 303-343.

Russell‑Fox, J.  (1997).  Together is better:  specific tips on how to include children with various types of disabilities.  Young Children, 52 (4), 81‑83.

Salend, S.  (1989).  A migrant education guide for special educators.  Teaching Exceptional Children, 22 (1), 18‑21.

            Scruggs, T., & Mastropieri, M. (2004).  Science and schooling for students with LD.  Journal of Learning Disabilities, 37 (3), 270-276.

            Seifert, K. L., & Hoffnung, R. J.  (2000).  Media influences on aggression.  Child and Adolescent Development,  (10), 308.

                Simpson, R.  (2004).  Finding effective intervention and personnel preparation practices for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders.  Exceptional Children, 70 (2), 135-144.

Singer. B.  (1995).  Written language development and disorders:  Selected principles, patterns, and intervention possibilities.  Topics in Language Disorders, 16 (1), 83-98.

Smelter, R.  (1996).  Is attention deficit disorder becoming a desired diagnosis?  Phi Delta Kappan, 77 (6), 429‑432.

Smith, R., Salend, S., & Ryan, S.  (2001).  Watch your language.  Teaching Exceptional Children, 33, 18-23.

Stevens, C.  (1999).  Is it really ADD?  Phi Delta Kappan, 41 (3), 33-37.

Symons, F., Clark, R., Roberts, J., & Bailey, D. (2001).  Classroom behavior of elementary school-aged boys with Fragile X Sundrome.  The Journal of Special Education, 34 (4), 194-202.

Tanner, D.  (2001).  The learning disabled:  a distinct population of students.  Education, 121 (4), 195-198.

Urquhart, V. A. (2002).  Three faces of diversity.  Principal, 82, 24-26.

Wadlington, E.  (2000).  Effective language arts instruction for students with dyslexia.  Preventing School Failure, 44 (2), 61-65.

Webb-Bussert, K.  (2000).  Did my holistic teaching help students' standardized test scores?  Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, 43 (6), 572-574.

Westwater, A. & Wolfe, P.  (2000).  The brain-compatible curriculum.  Educational Leadership, 58 (3), 49-52.

Zentall, S.  (2001).  Learning and motivational characteristics of boys with AD/HD and/or giftedness.  Exceptional Children, 67 (4), 499-519.

 

VII.     Rationale:  The term At-risk student in this course refers to the student who is at risk of not completing

high school.  A knowledge of at-risk factors helps teachers understand the complex nature of the student's world and take steps to make school a more nurturing, supportive climate for learning.  A knowledge of at-risk factors will help the educator make more informed decisions about interventions and about assistance by other agencies. This course addresses Standard Four of NCATE heavily. 

 

 

VIII.    Course Objectives:

 

Course Goals:

 

1.               To help professionals acquire an awareness of at-risk student characteristics.  Standards

            1.2.3, 3.1.1, 3.1.8, 3.2.4, 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.2.1, 4.3.6, 5.1.7, 5.2.1.  Pathwise  A1, A2, A3, A4, A5; B1,

            B2, B3, B4, B5.

2.        To increase professionals' knowledge of the various categories of at-risk students.  Pathwise A1,

           A2, A3, A4, A5, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, C1, C2; D4.

3.        To acquaint professionals with appropriate strategies and techniques.  Standards 1.1.4, 1.2.2,

            1.3.3,  1.3.6, 2.1.7, 2.2.1, 2.3.2, 3.1.5, 3.1.6, 3.2.2, 3.2.4, 3.2.5, 3.3.1, 3.3.6, 4.2.1, 4.3.3, 4.3.6,

            5.1.1, 5.2.1; Pathwise A4, A5, C2, C4, C5.

5.                  4.         To equip professionals with fundamental counseling and consultative skills to facilitate collaborative relationships with families of at-risk students.  Standards 1.1.4, 1.2.2, 1.3.3, 1.3.6, 2.1.7, 2.2.1, 2.3.2, 3.1.5, 3.1.6, 3.2.2, 3.2.4, 3.2.5, 3.3.1, 3.3.6, 4.2.1, 4.3.3, 4.3.6, 5.1.1, 5.2.1; Pathwise B1, B2, D2, D3, D4.

5.               To help teachers, counselors, and administrators make appropriate adaptations and additions in curriculum and instruction for at-risk students.  Standards 1.1.4, 1.2.2, 1.3.3, 1.3.6, 2.1.7, 2.2.1, 2.3.2, 3.1.5, 3.1.6, 3.2.2, 3.2.4, 3.2.5, 3.3.1, 3.3.6, 4.2.1, 4.3.3, 4.3.6, 5.1.1, 5.2.1; Pathwise A1, A2, A4, A5, B1, B3, C2, C3, C4, C5; D3, D4.

6.               To acquaint professionals with appropriate agencies and organizations that provide assistance for at-

      risk students.  Pathwise D2, D3, D4.

 

Course Objectives:

 

Students will:

 

1.                  State the criteria for classification into the various categories of at-risk, and give general factors that put students at risk.

2.                  State characteristics of At-risk students.

3.         Evaluate student behavior in consideration of factors such as being withdrawn,

                        aggressiveness,  child abuse, substance abuse, and suicidal tendencies etc.

4.         Describe, in detail and comprehensively, several at-risk categories, and approaches to educate used with these categories.

5.         Describe and evaluate family interaction patterns which affect at-risk students.

 

 

IX        Description of How the Course Meets the General Education Objectives

 

This course is not a general education course and does not attempt to meet the

general education objectives.    

 

 

Methods of Instruction:  The class emphasis is on the various kinds of at-risk conditions,

 methods of teaching these students,  classroom management, and parent conferencing.

Handouts, Power Points, instructional videos and field trip(s) are used.  In the latter part of

the course, graduate students present oral and written reports of their findings about these

students. 

 

X.        Assessment and Evaluation Methods

 

A.    To benefit from this course, the following will be expected of the student.

 

1.         Regular class attendance and participation

2          Satisfactory performance on the examinations

3.         Required reading in textbook and required activities

4          Group participation

5.                   Individual presentation

 

 

Grading:

 

Exam I                                                 100 pts

Exam II                                                100

Final                                                     200

Attendance & Participation                   100

            Professional articles                              100                                                     

Class presentations (2 @ 100)  200     

 

Total                                                    800

 

Scale: A is from 700-800 points; B, 600-699; C, 500-599; D, 400-499.  F<400 points.

 

 

Professional Readings:

 

Four professional articles about at-risk students to be shared orally.  Each reading is worth 25 of the total of 100 points for articles.  Please have the articles ready on the dates indicated on the schedule.  Unlike the pattern of undergraduate classes, be prepared to share with the class for one to two minutes about your article each time a reading is due.

 

B.        Administrative Requirements:


1.         Attendance policy:  Students are expected to attend all class meetings and participate fully.  Most class meetings will require the active involvement of students.  Grades will be influenced by class participation and contributions made (limit of three (3) class absences).  For emergency absences, refer to the Arkansas Tech Student Handbook.

2.         Plagiarism and other academic misconduct:  Any student found to have committed academic misconduct including, but not limited to cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic dishonesty is subject to the disciplinary section outlined in the Arkansas Tech Student Handbook.

3.         Quality and timeliness of work:  All work submitted should be of professional quality, neatly presented, grammatically correct and free of spelling and punctuation errors.  Work that is late will not receive full credit.

            4.         Bottled water is permitted in the classroom.  All other forms of food or tobacco are banned.

                        Sorry, I've been watching this for 20 years.  Every person who ever spilled a soft drink on

                        the carpet and stained it said he/she was different from all those before, and that he would

                        be careful.  But we still replace carpet way ahead of schedule.  No food.

 

C.  Course Content

 

1.      Types of at-risk students

 

            A.        Handicapped students

            B.         Child Abuse

            C.        Students with self-destructive or suicidal tendencies

D.        Migrant students

E.         Latchkey students

F.         The unmotivated gifted or gifted/LD student

G.        Learning disabilities

H.        The slow learner

I.          Autism

J.          The students involved in substance abuse

K.        Visually impaired

L.        The terminally ill student, including students with HIV or AIDS

M.        Anorexia/Bulimia

N.        Attention Deficit Disorder

            O.        Dyslexia

            P          Economically depressed/poor

            Q.        Special challenges of the single-parent home

            R          Hearing impaired/speech impaired (mild)

 

2.         Conferencing with the families of at-risk students

 

1.                  Challenges which these families face

2.                  Counseling

3.                  Advising but not dictating to the family

4.        &nbs