At Risk Readers

At Risk Readers

Introduction

Did you know that learning to read is a challenge for almost 40 percent of kids? There are only just a few students who do not have some type of short coming when it comes to reading. Looking at National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores only one third of students read at the proficient or advanced levels. One third read at a basic level and the last one third are reading below that basic level. (1)

Who are at risk readers?

There are students that are labeled as “at risk,” these students show high risk of being a struggling reader or having reading disabilities. Being at risk does not mean that the child is doomed to be a poor reader, but it does tell us that he or she may need close monitoring and intervention to prevent those reading difficulties. (2)

There are many different warning signs and characteristics of an at risk student. Most of these characteristics are the kind of personality they have and the reading skills they do or do not have. These students are reluctant to participate in any type of reading activities and do not see the value of being able to read. Struggling readers make many errors and do not focus on the actual words as much as trying to figure out the story from the pictures they see or from what words they can read. They do this to hide the fact that they cannot read. A negative attitude about reading and toward themselves is normally very present in at risk readers. The students avoid reading as much as possible and when they are reading they give up much easier than other students. If there is any child that has a good amount of these characteristics they are most likely struggling at reading and reading activities. (3)

Hindrances

There are some things that happen in today’s