Studies show that nearly any student can learn anything. The variable is time. In other words, the student who needs to pass calculus for the career of their choice, can do so. They may need to spend more time than anyone eelse in the class but, if they commit the time, they can succeed at learning calculus. Or physics. Or nearly anything.
Other studies show that 'time-on-task' has a direct relationship with course success. When this is considered with the previous paragraph, the implications are clear. Students need to spend time addressing their science and math course work. Some suggestions that may help students do this are to 1) make sure they have time designated for dealing with school work, 2) consider organization and whether they keep track of assignments and have a place to keep pending assignments, 3) make sure they have needed materials like writing instruments and paper, and 4) let them know you value their succeeding in school.
Some years ago an article appeared in Scientific American. The question addressed was why was it that so many boat people showed up in the United States destitute and speaking no English. Yet, not many years later, their children were graduating from US high schools near the top of their class and then going off to succeed at becoming doctors, lawyers, engineers, and a host of other professions. Were these people unusually intelligent? Did 'the system' somehow reward them to ease their way?
Many families were interviewed and a plethora of data was collected. It was found that
1) These people viewed the United States as a country of wonderful opportunities.
2) They thought that education was a good way to get ahead in life.
3) Homework was a family affair. All the kids were gathered for doing homework. No one left until all were done. Those finished first helped or watched the others.
4) If the family needed to sacrifice to become better educated, this was done.
If the only legacy of the boat people was that the rest of Americans learned these things, in my opinion, they have been a tremendous asset for this nation.