Answer the question:

Good Morning Noelani and Class. We also need to look just below the surface at student performance. When kids are not doing well in school there is something else going on. The majority of referrals I get are because of this very thing. Kids who were doing great suddenly aren't. Kids who have been struggling even with many supports in place are also referred to me for a closer look. Sometimes it is because of issues outside the school environment and sometimes it is due to learning problems that have not been identified. My job is to find out what the underlying factors are and help schools get the right interventions in place, but also to help parents understand what is affecting their child at home that adds to issues at school. This requires close observation, comprehensive interviews with teachers, parents, & the student, and then, usually, a referral for evaluation to get to the underlying causes of the drop in or recurring academic performance.

It is best when we can identify these issues early and implement effective learning interventions, as well as deal with emotional/psychological issues, but very often we don't get the referral until these kiddos are in late elementary school and, sometimes they do not get refried until High School. One of the greatest barriers is when parents refuse to have us get involved because they are afraid services will affect their kids opportunities for college. Then, when the student is a Junior or Senior and still failing, they ask for help to ensure the student gets into college. This is usually in the form or getting accommodations for college board exams.

All this to say that helping kids succeed in school and keeping them school has to be a coordinated effort that stars early.

Class, think about what your role might be in identifying these students early enough to get the services they need. How do you think this would affect the issue of leaving school early?