School and Learning: School Entry,
School Failure, and the Discovery
of Learning Disabilities
Colette L. lngraham
San Diego State University
Performance in school can be affected by a wide range of crises. When one is experiencing a life crisis, it can influence the ability to concentrate, think, remember, relate to others, and maintain one's psychological balance and feelings of well-being. In this respect, when a child is experiencing a crisis at home, in the community, or at school, school achievement needs to be understood within a broader context than what takes place in the classroom. Students who are experiencing a crisis need additional support to help them cope with the crisis and to reduce lasting effects on their learning at school.
Some crises are directly related to what happens in school. This chapter identifies three common school-related crises and describes students who are at risk of each crisis. The first section discusses who is at risk of crises associated with school entry, perceived academic failure, and learning disabilities. The second section describes several strategies for intervention and prevention of crises in school learning.
Three types of crises that impact student learning are the sources of numerous referrals to school professionals. The competent professional who understands the dynamics associated with each type of crisis is better able to provide rapid, effective intervention.
-59-
