Student at risk of dropping out

While planning for inclusion should take an individual focus, it should also occur within

an ecological context

Students at risk of dropping out

• info

Teacher factors•awareness of student needs• provide structure and be explicit• teach general study skills •awareness of behavioral management discipline hierarchy

Physical environment factors•room lighting (artificial/natural)

•table arrangement

•student work displayed

Student factors•encourage students to use their own language/words

•prior knowledge/experiences

•hierarchy of needs (Maslow)•connection with content

Curriculum and resource factors•using alternative resources

•active and engaging activities

•human resources

•reinforcement through rewards

Toolbox

Activity choicesTopic Activity and explanation LinkCommunity definition

class brainstorm - explore the class’ understanding of a community

ATeenage communities

comprehension activity - students read an article and respond to questions individually

BSpatial inequalities

creative cartooning activity - students draw 3 cartoons to represent scenarios

CGlobal communities

ICT/visual activity - students watch YouTube clip and fill in a table of key differences

DOnline communities

reflection activity - students answer focus q’s about the role of facebook in changing communities

EAustralian communities

teacher-centred instruction using powerpoint slide-show of key definitions and visual aids

F

Class brainstorm

COMMUNITY

Comprehension activity

Creative cartooning

ICT / visual activity

Individual reflection

Teacher-centred instruction

Wrapping up...

• Not all tools are going to be “in classroom”

• Working within a department, a school and a system

• An example: Olivia....

Policy

ACT DET Policy website http://www.det.act.gov.au/

• Pregnant Student Policy and Implementation Guidelineshttp://www.det.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/19497/pregnant.pdf

• Canberra College Cares – Program for students that are pregnant or parenting – Year 10 and Year 12 Certificates – Flexible and on-line program– alternative education for students aged 14-21 years

• http://www.canberrac.act.edu.au/special_programs/cccares

RecommendationsIdentify :• your own tricks for your toolbox - for each of

the factors of the 'ecosystem‘• what your strengths are and what needs to be

further developed• what you're missing - and where to get them -

colleagues, departments, PD, “the hardware store”

• funding issues and possible sources for funding

ConclusionWays to reduce dropping out• mentoring of students at risk • providing support for students and families • focusing on vital literacy and numeracy skills for

students at risk • training and professional development for teachers

“Build on students strengths and maximise potential“ (Murik, 2002)