In Gregory Palardy’s article, “High School Socioeconomic Segregation and Student Attainment,” peer-influence is a crucial reason students with low SES status do not complete high school or attend post-secondary school. He notes that peer influences determined by SES, which tend to peak at ages 15-18, affect a range of school outcomes, including behaviours, attainment, and educational aspirations (Palardy 719). If a student of any socioeconomic background surrounds his or her self with influences aspiring to succeed in school, said student will obtain successful results (Palardy 719).
Building an environment in class where the students work towards the same goal can help alleviate the difficult Paladry describes as peer influences negatively affecting the achievements of students from low SES. Literature circles can be an activity where each student in the group is working to a similar goal, and students are teaching students. Each student is given a role in their group, promoting a democratic environment and providing responsibility to the student.
Here is a PDF on roles in a lit circle. Try this in a classroom to assign responsibility to students, and allow them to teach each other about the novel they choose with teacher guidance.