Helping discouraged learners

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Abstract

This effective practice, based on an article by the Center for School Success, highlights ways to help discouraged learners build self-esteem and literacy skills. While the Center's focus is on students in the fourth grade through middle school, these practices apply to learners of any age.

Issue

Academic achievement begins to drop for students who are not reading on grade level, especially after third grade. Low-performing students often become discouraged learners and need assistance in changing their perception of themselves as failures.

Action

The Center for School Success identifies the following pedagogical and assessment practices to assist discouraged learners and build support for their efforts by making the most of available resources:

Tailor tutoring to what the learner wants to know and to experiences in the learner’s life
Focus on short-term goals to demonstrate success
Use service-learning as an opportunity to teach academic studies
Share the learner’s achievements with a larger audience
Keep records of the learner’s academic successes
Use effective practices and research from past examples
Connect with school leaders
Use the resources available through the Middle School Reform Movement, as identified by the Center for School Success. See the article for more information.