To increase participation, I’d reach out personally to encourage them to attend class and office hours, making those sessions feel more approachable I’d also integrate small-group activities and low-stakes participation points to help them engage without fear of being wrong.

Finally, I’d emphasize a growth mindset—reminding them that effort and persistence can make up for background gaps. My goal would be to help these students shift from “low background, low effort” (Group 3) to “low background, high effort” (Group 4), where progress and confidence can grow steadily.