ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS

This paper provides an extensive literature review concerning at-risk students and their needs, identifies the essential components necessary for effective at-risk programming, and describes successful at-risk programs and recommendations for administrators and teachers at the middle- and high-school levels. The literature review presents research findings on parenting styles, students' perceptions of change, school attendance, grade retention, and e aluation of programs for at-risk learners. Essential components of programs for at-risk students include a recognition of the importance of school climate, a comprehensive and balanced curriculum, an effective and caring staff, energetic and experienced teachers trained in various counseling skills, using a preventative and remedial approach to enhance the at-risk students ' self-esteem, and an inclusive decision-meting process. Appendices contain samples of various at-risk programs ' objectives, activities, and curricula. (LMT) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document