LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

at-risk

Learn more about at-risk

Differentiated instruction
An introduction to LEARN NC's resources for differentiating instruction for a variety of student populations.
Format: bibliography
To know them is to teach them
We must maintain high standards and expectations, incorporate students' experiences into the curriculum, and use culturally relevant materials.
By Barbara Rush.
Sex under the influence
The use of alcohol and other drugs increases the risk for unplanned, unprotected sex. This action exposes young people to HIV, other STDs, and pregnancy. The lesson engages students in the decision-making process regarding risk and checks their understanding of behaviors that put them at risk.
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Healthful Living)
By Kathy Crumpler.
Reaching every learner: Differentiating instruction in theory and practice
This series of articles, which balance theory, research, and practice, address a variety of topics within differentiation through text, graphics, and video.
Format: series (multiple pages)
It's all about choice
Students will examine the different choices they make as supporting or undermining their intent to remain abstinent, including the affect of substance use on those choices.
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Healthful Living)
By Kathy Crumpler.

Find all 34 resources in our collection.

A term used to describe students at risk of educational failure as a result of challenges ranging from a lack of adequate service from school or social service organizations to negative life events such as socioeconomic or physical/mental challenges.

Additional information

The term at-risk has changed from one that blames students for whatever life circumstances disadvantage them in schooling (for instance, language, culture, family situation, economic status, or race/ethnicity) to one that considers the intersection of student circumstances and a school’s ability to meet student needs in a way that supports the student’s social, emotional and intellectual development.

Examples and resources

The LEARN NC article “Get real!” discusses teaching computer proficiency to at-risk students by making classroom lessons relevant to their lives and taking account of different learning styles.