WK_4 Reading

Scott Day’s case study was focused around three research-based evaluations: cooperative group work, authentic tasks and assessments, and appropriate use of technology (2002). Day discussed his findings of 8 at-risk students who were motivated to learn when placed within a monitord technology lab classroom. The students also showed an increase in the their grades and became more accountable for the assignments that were turned submitted. There is still a lot of changes that need to occur within traditional classrooms and with educators, according to Day. For as many at-risk youth that are in and out of school there are just that many educators who don’t know how to help these students succeed.

Day, Scott L. Real kids, real risks: effective instruction of students at risk of failure. National

Association of Secondary School Principals. NASSP Bulletin Sept. 2002, 2-8.

Pogrow discussed in his study the development of Higher Order Thinking Skills Program (HOTS). The HOTS is primed upon four components:

      1.   problem-solving settings using computers

    2.     dramatic techniques

    3.     Socratic conversations (helping a person find the answers on their own)

    4.     Skill thinking development

Pogrow, Stanley. A Socratic approach to using computers with at-risk students. Educational

Leadership, Feb90, Vol. 47 Issue 5, p61, 6p; (AN 8525229).

Matsuba discussed the belief that an employment training program for at-risk youth that incorporates a curriculum that addresses psychological issues such as low self-esteem, is needed. This study presented how the training program can be utilized to help at-risk youth find employment. According to Matsuba (2008) the study was conducted over a 7-month period with fifty-nine at-risk youth. The results discussed showed significant improvement.

Matsuba, M., Elder, G., Petrucci, F., & Marleau, T. (2008). Employment training for at-risk

youth: a program evaluation focusing on changes in psychological well-being. Child & Youth Care Forum, 37(1), 15-26. doi:10.1007/s10566-007-9045-z.

Stephens (2010) discussed many of the major problems that face teens: pregnancy, poor health, child abuse, drug and alcohol abuse. In his discussion of “saving” at-risk youth it was shown that the majority of these youth have a lack of faith in life and in themselves, and a handful of other “best approaches that should be used. According to Stephen (2010) his eight point plan, listed below should be adopted and used in assuring the at-risk youth that a more positive future can occur.

“commit to positive reinforcement; promote nonviolent conflict resolu­tion, encourage mentoring of all children, establish community-school partnerships, develop community-ori­ented, proactive policing programs, initiate ethical and cultural awareness programs, design youth opportunity programs, and set up peer counseling hotlines.”

Stephens, G. (2010). Youth at risk: a new plan for saving the world's most precious resource. Futurist, 44(4), 16-21. Retrieved on October 2, 2010 from http://www.allbusiness.com/society-social/families-children-family/14683375-1.html



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