Some individuals more readily develop learned helplessness in the classroom, so it is necessary for the educational system to acknowledge it and develop teaching methods to prevent it. Creating awareness among educators of this condition could greatly decrease its occurrence. Children who have a high risk of developing learned helplessness, especially disadvantaged children, should be evaluated periodically to detect its development before it becomes a serious problem. The experiencing of success by beginning students is important, as well as the development of coping mechanisms to prepare for eventual failures. (Author/LS)