Victor Rios: Help for kids the education system ignores

Help for kids the education system ignores

Define students by what they contribute, not what they lack -- especially those with difficult upbringings, says educator Victor Rios. Interweaved with his personal tale of perseverance as an inner-city youth, Rios identifies three straightforward strategies to shift attitudes in education and calls for fellow educators to see "at-risk" students as "at-promise" individuals brimming with resilience, character and grit.

Labels like "at-risk" ignore the grit and resilience many young people already possess. One student, after losing both friends and family to violence and poverty, found hope only when a teacher saw his strengths and honored his story. Shifting the focus from deficits to assets can help students tap into their potential and overcome adversity. Real change happens with compassion, relevant support, and giving students opportunities to be seen and heard.