EdBlog Watch: Insights on At-Risk Students

Teachers At Risk is a blog written by Canadian teacher Elona Hartjes, who works with at-risk students. Hartjes' posts weave personal experience, news, and research together while discussing issues such as bullying and preparing special education students for the world of work. Particularly frank and engaging are her posts on behavioral issues. She writes:

It's taken me over two months to develop a positive relationship with all the kids in my math class this semester—over two whole months. It's just now they are starting to change their behaviour so that they can actually learn math. They're becoming more respectful of one another and me. Unfortunately, with these at-risk classes the behaviour gets much worse before it gets better.

Hartjes often includes an audio version of her posts, adding a more personal dimension to her writing, which readers can subscribe to as a podcast. As Hartjes compellingly describes classroom difficulties faced by both at-risk students and their teachers, readers will find a strong voice they can relate to on her blog.

Submitted by David Snyder, a reference librarian in ASCD's Information Resource Center. EdBlog Watch also appears in the ASCD Express newsletter.

Legislation Update (Via the Education Commission of the States):

Starting with the 2007-08 school year, all high schools in SOUTH CAROLINA are required to implement model programs that provide at-risk students with the opportunity to graduate with a standard high school diploma. To aid schools in meeting this requirement, the department of education has developed a detailed implementation guide that identifies approved evidence-based models, initiatives and programs. More: http://www.ecs.org/00CN3568