Lily, Communication is the key isn't it? By talking with students you have a continuous forum through which you can identify the emerging needs and issues that are facing your students. This way, in many cases you can head off an emerging problem before it becomes a big problem that leads to the student leaving school. Observational skills are also a must. Instructors have to be observant in such things as class room dynamics, student interactions, changes in student behavior, etc. Many times students are sending signals of distress long before they surface. Early intervention can often help the students to resolve the issues and return their focus to your classroom. Gary