How to Handle a Less-Than-Stellar Report Card
A less-than-stellar report card is never something that a teacher, child, or parent wants to see, but one report card won’t define your child or set their future. Fortunately, there are a number of steps that you can take now to deal with the situation and help your child improve their grades and academic abilities.
Talk to Your Child
The best place to start is talking directly with your child. They may know where they are lacking or where the problem lies. Go over the report card and discuss what academic challenges they may be facing.
Look Over the Notes
While the actual letter grades are what will matter most to the schools and your child’s GPA, the first thing you should look at is the teacher’s notes. This will help you to better understand what is really going on and what your child is actually struggling with.
Schedule a Parent-Teacher Conference
Get to know your child’s teacher. A good teacher appreciates parent involvement and will be happy to discuss how you can help to get your child back on track. Your child’s teacher is with them for eight hours a day, on average, so they may be able to give you some good insight into why your child’s grades are slipping. They may also be able to recommend some steps you can take to help, such as helping your child study, looking over their homework, or hiring a tutor.
Look into Tutoring
Your child may just need a little extra assistance. Whether they are struggling in certain subjects or seem to have trouble studying for a big test, a professional tutor can provide the tips and assistance they need to succeed. Every child is different, so his or her learning strengths and struggles will also be different. A tutor can hone in on those strengths and challenges to help them succeed both in the classroom and in their everyday life. This type of individual attention and personalized learning plans are what many children need to fully understand and grasp a subject.
Stay Positive
Remember that anger and frustration never solve anything. Your child is looking to you for guidance and a positive outlook on their future is what they need to get back on track. Once your child’s grades begin improving, make sure to notice and comment on the change and how hard your child worked to achieve it.