Are you looking for ways to help students realize their academic potential? If so, keep reading.

1. Urge the learner to avoid ingesting any substance (e.g., drugs, alcohol, cold remedies, etc.) that might further alter their capacity and ability to perform up to their capacity and ability level.

2. Assess the clarity and quality of directions, explanations, and instructions given to the learner.

3. Give the learner clearly stated step-by-step instructions for homework so that someone at home may be able to assist.

4. Make sure that your remarks are in the form of constructive criticism rather than criticism that could be perceived as personal, menacing, etc., (e.g., instead of saying, “You always make the same mistake,” say, “A better way to do that might be … “).

5. Minimize the emphasis on competition. Students who compete academically and fail to succeed may cease to try to do well and do far less than they are able.

6. Observe learner performance to detect errors and determine where learning problems exist.

7. Get the learner to perform complicated tasks in the resource room where the resource teacher can answer questions.

8. Build varying degrees of difficulty into tasks to build the learner’s self-confidence and give a challenge (e.g., easier problems are intermingled with problems designed to measure knowledge gained).

9. Give the learner evaluative feedback for tasks finished (i.e., find what the learner did successfully, what errors were made, and what should be done to correct the errors).

10. Get the learner to prepare for tests using the “Who, What, Where, On occasions where, How, and Why” format.

11. Create tests and exams for the learner using the “Who, What, Where, On occasions where, How, and Why” format.

12. Assess the appropriateness of giving the learner tasks that require copying if the learner’s capacity and ability level make it impossible for them to finish the task.

13. Give time at school for homework to be finished or redone if designated homework has not been finished or has resulted in failure. (The learner’s failure to finish homework tasks may be the result of variables in the home over that they have no control.)

14. Alter academic tasks (e.g., format, requirements, length, etc.).

15. Give instruction and task format in an assortment of ways (e.g., oral instructions, written instructions, demonstrations, simulations, manipulatives, drill learning activities with peers, etc.).

16. Give an assortment of formats for the learner to learn information (e.g., videotapes, visitors, community resources, etc.).

17. Provide shorter tasks more regularly. As the learner shows success, increase the length of the tasks, and decrease the frequency.

18. Make sure the learner has mastery of the ideas at each level before introducing a new skill level.

19. Let the learner highlight essential information in written learning materials.

20. Get the learner to read their written work out loud when proofing.

21. Consider using one of the apps and tools from our many app lists. These apps are designed to help students who are experiencing academic difficulties.

28 of the Best Apps for Kids in Kindergarten
28 of the Best Apps for Kids in the First Grade

39 of the Best Apps for Kids in the Second Grade

53 of the Best Apps for Kids in the Third Grade
37 of the Best Apps for Kids in the Fourth Grade

25 of the Best Apps for Kids in the Fifth Grade

28 of the Best Apps for Kids in the Sixth Grade

35 of the Best Apps for Kids in the Seventh Grade

28 of the Best Apps for Kids in the Eight Grade

27 of the Best Apps for Kids in the Ninth Grade
33 of the Best Apps for Kids in the Tenth Grade
20 of the Best Apps for Kids in the Eleventh Grade
14 of the Best Apps for Kids in the Twelfth Grade