Educators should stop using the term “at risk” and start using “school dependent,” according to principal Brian Nichols of Newport News, Va.
“At risk” emphasizes a list of variables that impact success but are outside the school’s “circle of influence,” he writes on the ASCD EDge social networking site. The shift in language “puts the focus on the variables that we have control of,” such as the quality of instruction, according to Nichols.
“Please join the movement!” pleads Nichols. “Success is far more likely with this approach!”