Supporting Students from Disadvantaged Backgrounds with Alloprof

Even if schools have little power to address the factors that lead to social and economic disadvantage, it is important to be aware of and be able to recognize these factors, as they have an impact on students’ chances of achieving academic success. Signs of socioeconomic disadvantage include the following: 

• The student does not have all the school supplies they need at the beginning of the year.
• The student does not go on any paid school trips, is left home alone because their parents cannot afford a babysitter or daycare for them, etc.
• The student often wears the same clothes over and over again, and their clothes are sometimes worn or dirty.
• The student’s packed lunches often have little nutritional value, or the student is sent to school with no lunch or snack.
• The student is frequently absent from school. Absenteeism is sometimes a sign of disadvantage, as some parents cannot help their children get ready for school in the morning because they are at work.

Schools must offer all young people, regardless of their background, a peaceful and safe environment that helps reduce disparities and fosters the development of healthy relationships. The challenges associated with disadvantage—be they economic, social, or cultural—have the potential to significantly hinder these students’ academic progress, thus heightening their risk of dropping out and experiencing difficulties with social integration. Here are a few ways you can support students from disadvantaged backgrounds:

• Incorporate differentiated instruction into your teaching practices. This approach takes into account students’ individual needs while promoting an inclusive learning environment. 
• Make the most of your school library’s resources in order to develop a love of reading in students who don’t have easy access to books.
• Tell your students about Alloprof. If you notice that a student is having trouble finishing their homework or isn’t motivated to go to school, disadvantage may be to blame. One way to help students who don’t have a parent available to help them with homework and studying is to share some helpful Alloprof tools. The Ask a Teacher service and the Alloprof Help Zone are invaluable resources for students who are struggling in school. In addition, Alloprof’s interactive French vocabulary exercise can help students work on spelling words by themselves. All you have to do is save your own spelling lists in the software and give your students the access code for your list. Students can then listen to each word and practise spelling it. 
• Talk to your students and their families about free resources and services in Quebec that they may not be aware of, such as library lending programs for museum and national park passes, musical instruments, etc.; activities for low-income families; free prescription eyeglasses for minors; free dental care for kids under 10, etc. 
• Collect and clean abandoned pencils and other school supplies and give them to students who need them. You could also use this opportunity to cultivate a culture of sharing and solidarity among families of different financial backgrounds. 
• Develop trusting relationships with your students and be willing to listen when they need someone to talk to. Keep in mind that every child is different. Some kids will want to talk about what’s bothering them so they can get it off their mind and focus on learning, while others will prefer to distract themselves from their worries by concentrating on their studies. Whatever a child’s family situation, you should do your best to empathize with them without passing judgment on their experiences. 
• Embrace diversity in your classroom. It’s important to approach each student with curiosity and an open mind in order to break down prejudices. If you have students from different cultural backgrounds in your class, having quick group discussions where students talk about what they did or ate over the weekend is a great way to highlight their cultural heritage. 
• Where possible, use cooperative learning to promote collaboration and a sense of belonging among students. 
• Personalize your classroom so it is more appealing and reflects your students’ personalities: Ask their opinions about the classroom layout, involve them in the creation of special areas (reading corner, educational game area, etc.), ask for their input during the design process, have them help delegate minor responsibilities, etc. These strategies also help to boost the autonomy of all students, which is a key factor in the success of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.  
• Get parents involved in supporting the school’s educational mission wherever possible. Their active participation can go a long way toward supporting and motivating their children by creating a bridge between the school environment and family life. This can have a direct impact on students’ motivation and perseverance in their studies. Working as a team with the student’s parents, you can identify strategies that suit that student’s circumstances. You can also refer parents to the free specialist consultation service offered by Alloprof Parents.

When it comes to supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds, it is vital to avoid perpetuating prejudices and stereotypes in order promote an inclusive and equitable learning environment. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• People in disadvantaged households do not necessarily have a lower education level. Many students have highly educated parents who are nevertheless facing economic challenges.
• Not every disadvantaged student will have learning difficulties. Every child is different. It is also important to distinguish between a child who is intellectually under-stimulated and a child with a learning difficulty.
• A student’s socioeconomic background does not necessarily dictate their ambitions or ability to succeed at school. Many students from disadvantaged backgrounds demonstrate remarkable resilience and motivation at school.
• Maintaining high expectations for all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background, fosters a culture of excellence and equity. It is important to always celebrate students’ efforts and small victories. While in elementary school a student may be less aware of the differences between their own life circumstances and those of their peers, in high school it becomes crucial to support the student to their full potential, so that they realize that they can exercise control over their life choices and their future.  
• It’s important to avoid asking questions that assume every student has a similar socioeconomic background. For example, instead of asking your class where they went over spring break, you could ask them what their favourite spring break activity was.