Hope Fulfilled for At-Risk and Violent Youth: K-12 Programs That Work

Hope Fulfilled for At-Risk and Violent Youth: K-12 Programs That Work Robert D. Barr and William H. Parrett Allyn and Bacon, Boston, 2001 Hope Fulfilled for At-Risk and Violent Youth: K-12 Programs That Work offers an indepth look into the varied aspects of at-risk and violent youths in America's public school systems. The book defines at-risk, offers potential causes, and provides numerous examples of programs that are designed to help this population of students. The book is presented in logically ordered chapters that build upon one another, beginning with definitions and causes and then turning to ways in which schools can change to help students who are at risk. Each chapter provides essential information for educators and parents, explaining what it means to be at risk and possible reasons for why so many of today's youths are failing. Most important, the authors provide a wealth of information on how schools can become better equipped to effectively educate at-risk and violent youths. Barr and Parrett state that today's at-risk population of students are at greater risk for dropping out of school than their peers who are not at risk. Educators must equip themselves with the tools necessary to teach these learners. This may mean approaching the educational process in nontraditional ways by teaching a variety of skills to ensure that every student can become a productive participant in society. The authors offer specific ways to help schools begin to make the necessary changes. The book contains 10 chapters. Chapter 1 discusses the overall changes that have been taking place in U.S. society and the effects of these changes on education. What is being taught in today's classrooms often is not aligned with the demands of society. Our society is evolving at a much faster pace than changes taking place in our classrooms, and as a result many students are ill equipped to become productive members of society. Chapter 2 discusses which students are at risk and why. The authors define what it means to be at risk and offer possible reasons for this condition. The factors that put students at risk are divided into two categories. The first is related to the individual and his or her family and community. The second includes being suspended from school, failing in two or more courses, having grades below a C average, experiencing the death of a parent, speaking English as a second language, being from a single-parent home, being dropped from a team or club within the past year, or experiencing a serious illness or accident. The chapter also examines a typical profile of an at-risk student, the student's life conditions, and risk factors. Behaviors that are considered to have negative impacts on students' lives and potentially put them at risk are discussed. These behaviors include alcohol and drug consumption, sex, suicide attempts, disregard for safety, use of tobacco, and poor eating habits. Chapter 3 looks into the national crisis of youth violence. The authors describe the violent way of life that seems to be appearing throughout the country. Profiles of violent and nonviolent youths, as well as students who might be prone to violence, are examined. The focus of this chapter is on the causes, warning signs, and identification of youth violence. The focus of Chapter 4 is on how schools have failed and continue to fail students who are at risk. …