Characteristics of at-Risk Students (Aed201)

School Program for At-Risk Students In the United States many students face many problems or terrible conditions in their lives at home, school and in life in general. These problems and conditions can affect students tremendously when it comes to schoolwork or academic success. Many schools nationwide have set up programs or assistance to help these students succeed despite the problem or condition being faced. Not all students may encounter a problem or condition, but some encounter multiple problems.
The types of problems and conditions include changing families, poverty, violence, abuse of alcohol and/or drugs, suicide, and child abuse (Axia College, 2005). These are serious problems that many students face in today’s world, which can seriously affect academic success. Students who face one or more of these problems is said to be “at-risk” for academic failure (Axia College, 2005). The characteristics of students placed at-risk are a low SES, inner city, male, transient, minority, non-native English speaker, and divorced families (Axia College, 2005).
The only way a school, district, or state can do something about the at-risk students is to assist the needs of these students as much as possible. Many schools, districts, and states have set up special programs for at-risk students, including anything from afterschool programs to housing assistance. Usually the programs assist one of the characteristics of at-risk students to assist these students for their particular problem. The Phillipsburg school district of New Jersey has taken the issue of at-risk students very seriously by setting up an afterschool program to assist students facing the problem of low SES (socioeconomic status).

Students who come from a low SES family face issues that interfere with academic success, such as low income families, lack of parental involvement, low exposure to school-related experiences, and so on (Axia College, 2005). The Phillipsburg school district has incorporated a program called Youth Center to assist the students who face these challenges. The Youth Center program is offered to all students, whether from low SES or high SES families. As soon as school ends, the students can board a free bus that transports them directly to the Phillipsburg school district youth center.
The youth center contains a gym, field, classrooms, tutors, assistants, and anything else needed for the program. Students are offered tutoring services, homework help, supervised recreation, supervised educational activities, and volunteer opportunities (Wyant, 2010). This program is free of charge and is offered after school of every full day of school. Students arrive immediately after school to the youth center and are allowed to stay there until 6pm. The Youth Center program should be viewed as an exemplary and beneficial program to all.
This program is exemplary because it offers many options for students and parents as well. The latchkey students have a place to go instead of sitting at home alone waiting for a parent to arrive. The wide range of activities offered is exemplary because it attracts many different types of students to participate. Offering the program at no cost and no cost transportation is also exemplary and beneficial because these students typically come from low income families that would never be able to afford such a program elsewhere.
The benefits of the program go beyond giving the students a place to go free of charge. The academic benefit of this program is exemplary because the students have the access to tutors and homework helpers. Students who have attended this program for one year showed an improvement in school by seventy five percent, which is very good (Wyant, 2010). Since the program was established in the Phillipsburg school district, the academic achievement test scores have risen respectfully. Ensuring the youth center program reaches all targeted students and meet the students’ needs is crucial for this school district.
All students and parents are aware of the existence of this program and are often encouraged to join. The statistics have shown how students academically progress after joining the program, which is attractive to other students found in the same situation. The school district is even considering an expansion to the program by adding counselors to assist students’ emotional needs (Wyant, 2010). Many schools, districts, and states are doing everything possible to assist students who are considered at-risk. The Phillipsburg school district has had success with the youth center afterschool program to assist low SES students.
There are many programs available to students who are at-risk, but maintaining and improving these programs is essential to success. Students do not have to face the challenges of being at-risk alone anymore. References Axia College of University of Phoenix. (2005). Changes in American Society. Retrieved April 30, 2010, from Axia College, Week Three reading, aXcess, AED201—Teaching as a Profession Course Web site. Wyant, H. (2010). Joseph H. Firth Youth Center. Retrieved April 30, 2010, from http://www. phillipsburgnj. org/index. php? option=com_content&view=article&id=42&Itemid=53 FOR AXIA COLLEGE AED201… RECEIVED “A” on this paper.