13.4: At-Risk Factors

There are a number of factors that indicate a student might be at risk for academic failure (i.e., risk factors). Risk factors are not causes of academic failure but may contribute to the likelihood of academic failure. The more risk factors a student has, the more likely that the child might experience academic failure. Risk factors include premature birth; low birth weight; prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal trauma and other health issues (e.g., failure to thrive); diagnosed disability; poverty; and homelessness (Smiley et al., 2022). Adverse childhood experiences are also considered risk factors. Adverse childhood experiences are potentially traumatic events that occur before a child turns 18. These include physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, physical and emotional neglect, and living in a household with a parent or caregiver experiencing substance abuse, mental illness, divorce, domestic violence, or incarceration. Children may also experience potentially traumatic events in their community, including bullying, violence, and discrimination (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022).

Teenage pregnancy is another factor that puts adolescents at risk for academic failure. In addition, children of adolescent mothers face higher risks of low birth weight, preterm birth, and neonatal conditions, which put them at risk for developmental delay (World Health Organization, 2022). English learners may face academic challenges that put them at risk for academic failure (Smiley et al., 2022). Therefore, it is important for educators and clinicians to acknowledge these risk factors and create environments that are sensitive to the challenges these students are facing. Protective factors that guard against the negative effects of these risk factors include access to a safe and nurturing educational environment and the development of meaningful and positive connections with school staff. Students benefit a great deal from knowing someone cares about their well-being and academic success.

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Smiley, L. R., Richards, S.B., & Taylor, R. (2022). Exceptional students: Preparing teachers for the 21st century (4th ed.). McGraw Hill.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, April 6). Fast facts: Preventing adverse childhood experiences. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/fastfact.html

World Health Organization. (2022, December 15). Adolescent pregnancy. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-pregnancy#:~:text=Adolescent%20mothers%20