Students Face Risk Factors For The Academic Achievement

One must wonder how a person with Steve’s shocking childhood could grow into a man who is successful, not only in his career but in his personal life as well. Resilience theory is a possible explanation as to why Steve survived, despite the odds that were stacked against him. Resilience theory is a strength based approach which provides a framework that focuses on positive outcomes and not just the negative ones. The idea is that it promotes what works best while de-emphasizing psychopathology. Resilience theory defines resilience and possesses several key terms, which include protective/risk factors. Research on resilience has been valuable in directing attention toward youth who succeed in spite of high levels of stress and economic instability, as it identifies factors that can serve as protective functions which foster competence.

The author talks a lot about opportunity gaps, which are the ways diversity effects achievement

Thirdly, they point out that a diverse student body better prepares college students to interact and work with individuals of diverse backgrounds in the future. By creating an environment where students can be exposed to a racially diverse group of people, their interactions further reduce prejudice and misconceptions about race (Grutter v. Bollinger, 2003). The amicus brief reveals that race is an inseparable component of an applicant 's’ experiences and should not be excluded from the admission officers’ consideration.

A school setting provides opportunities where issues of social justice, oppression, and discrimination can be addressed. According to Bemak and Chung (2009), students of color and economically disadvantaged students are likely to have low academic achievement, in comparison to their White middle class counterparts. These disparities in academic

Research suggests that students of color and economically disadvantaged students are likely to have low academic achievement, in comparison to their White middle class counterparts. Studies show that these disparities are a result of environmental, historical, sociopolitical, sociocultural, and institutional factors, and not necessarily students’ capabilities (Bemak & Chung, 2008). These environmental, sociocultural and sociopolitical factors can result to depression, low self-esteem, and a lack of educational and career opportunities. Thus, counseling professionals in the school settings need to develop advocacy plans to cater for these environmental factors that are barriers to academic, career and personal development (Ratts & Hutchins,

I chose to focus my research on the factors that may affect at-risk minorities’ academic performance. This

There are varieties of definitions in regards with resilience based on different perspectives (Arrington et al., 2000). For instance, from a developmental perspective, resilience can be defined as positive and successful outcomes despite challenging situations (Masten, 2007; Windle, 2010). Resilience can also be defined as recovery to normal functioning from adversity or coping well under currently risk conditions (Masten, 2007; Windle, 2010). However, not every language has the word “resilience”. For example, a phrase, “the ability to cope with adversity” (Ungar et al.,

The purpose of this paper is to define the concept of resilience using Wilson’s concept analysis. Wilsons method was developed expressly for students to develop the abiity to “gain skills in answering questions of a conceptual nature.” (Walker & Advant 2011, p. 55) The process he developed provides the necessary structure for the development of a concept without being overly laborious in process. It is meant to assist the user in “clear thinking and communitcation”. (2011, p. 55). It uses the process of question isolation: deciding on a concept to address, finding right answers or researching meaning of the concept to be investigated, example cases in which this paper will only identify a model case, social context in which the concept

Resilience, fundamentally, is the ability to bounce back from hardship and the phenomenon of overcoming stress or adversity, for example: personal crises, poverty, mental illness and trauma (Occupational Health & Wellbeing, 2012). This skill can help individuals overcome the most difficult of situations (Occupational Health & Wellbeing, 2012). Resilience theorists generally agree that the presence of protective factors can reduce the effects of exposure to adversity. The more protective factors (or “assets”) available, the more resilient a person will be. Protective factors are conditions or attributes that help people deal more effectively with stressful events and eliminate risk. On the contrary, risk factors are attributes or characteristics

Resilience is a term that is often applied to those who have faced hardship and viewed the experience in a positive light as an opportunity to grow and change for the better (Wagnild & Collins, 2009). The definition however seems to vary from place to place. Ungar et al. (2008) stated “definitions of resilience are ambiguous when viewed across cultures" (p.174) which is why the understanding of resilience may be difficult to capture (as cited in Windle, Bennett & Noyes, 2011). Although the literature agrees on several common themes about resilience there are many varying opinions on how to define the concept or the attributing factors. Earvolino-Ramirez (2007) and

In this research paper I will focuses on four factors: Race, Socioeconomic Status, Family and High Quality Teaching/Schools. These themes were the most reoccurring and identified by previous research as having the largest impact on academic achievement. First I will elaborate on the first factor Race. African American males are disproportionately exposed to the type of psychosocial stressors that can lead to depression and poor decision making (Mizell, 1999). The psychosocial stressors that African American males are exposed to more than other groups are low educational and occupational achievement and low self-esteem. These risk factors can lead to depression and a poor sense of self and therefore not attaining the goals one once had. It is important when working with minority students to be sensitive to the psychosocial stressors that many African Americans are dealing with in an effort to help them cope and be successful students (Allen, 2011). No one cannot avoid race when discussing the achievement gap.

Scholars define resilience as the outcome of successful adaptation to adversity (Zutra, Hall, & Murray, 2010). Resilience is the ability to recover from adversities challenges in a manner that leaves an individual more flexible and better able to meet future challenges. Resilience involves an ability to react creatively and constructively to change while recognizing that change is an ongoing part of life (Mikail, 2014). Zutra and Hall identify two core dimensions of resilience:

Tyson (2013) shares research that found "increasing school racial diversity increases the chances that White students will be in the college prep track and decreases the chances that Blacks will be in that track" (171). Increasing diversity may not be the answer to bridging the gap between Black and White students. Alternatively, acknowledgement of tracking and sorting may allow students to become more aware of their abilities, which further creates lasting effects. Chmielewski et al. (2013) define academic self-concept as individual awareness of one's own academic abilities and the authors relate the concept to students who are not high academic achievers and how these students may develop negative academic self-concepts of self when placed with students who excel academically. Again, diversity, or sorting of students based on ability creates tension for student students. Tyson (2013) exclaims that diversity and inclusion are beneficial for all students, as the world becomes more of a global community; however, she seems to believe it would be at the expense of creating equity within schools and

Resilience has been topic that we have learned and are discussing in my English class. When you can overcome hardships faster and easier when you are more resilient person. We have been analyzing an article called “The Science of Bouncing Back” by Mandy Oaklander. Oaklander discusses methods of many people on their experience, becoming a more resilient person. People respond to emotion and hardships in their life differently, and people with more struggles overcome it more gradually, and Mandy Oaklander made me consider the possibilities resilience has, and can offer in everyday life.

The United States of America is known for being a country filled with people of many different ethnic backgrounds. Likewise, the student population in schools is just as diverse as it continues to grow. Lynch (2015) notes that schools are expected to teach their students “how to synthesize cultural differences into their knowledge base” as this will help “facilitate students’ personal and professional success in a diverse world” (para. 8). Educators must be able to provide for the diverse needs of students and are expected to equip students with skills that can lead to healthy development as it can affect higher levels of student achievement and students have more opportunities of success in their future. Providing students with tools and skills requires an awareness and acceptance of their ethnic identity. Once students have developed self-acceptance about their ethnic identity, they can begin to feel empowered and motivated to do well. Through cultural empowerment, students of color can develop intrinsic motivation and achieve academic success.