Understanding and Teaching the At-Risk Adult Student: Strategies to Improve Retention and Success [Hardcover]

This is a guide for teachers entering or continuing in the specific realm of adult education of students who are at-risk due to their criminal backgrounds, substance abuse issues or undiagnosed learning disabilities. The book provides readers with an overview of the teaching challenges for this population of students, presents research on their unique challenges as learners, and provides teachers with evidence-based practices to enhance the success of this adult learner population.Diane Mierzwik has been an educator for over 25 years, teaching all grade levels, serving as a program coordinator for adult education and a mentor teacher for others. She is the author of several books and articles. www.dianemierzwik.net

Ms. Mierzwik has written a clear, concise text that identifies the at-risk adult student, outlines their learning needs, and gives clear direction on creating effective teaching strategies. The book is well organized, and the bulleted summary of each section captures the essential elements for training teachers who elect to enter this challenging field. The cited source documentation provides excellent direction for those who want to delve further into specific areas researched by this author. As a former state-wide administrator of correctional education programs, I wish I had such a resource for pre-service training. This book is a must for teachers, curriculum developers and administrators who work in this alternative field. MaryLou Browing, past president of Correctional Education Association and retired Director of Parolee Education Programs for Contra Costa County Office of Education

If you are looking for a clearly written road map to building an effective classroom with at-risk adult students, then Ms. Mierzwik's excellent book, Teaching At-Risk Adults is one resource you must have. This book is full of relevant examples and practical tools for managing a classroom full of at-risk grown adults, each of whom brings their own explx