Falling Behind In School
How can I tell if my child is falling behind in school?
To be able to tell whether or not a child is falling behind, it's important that parents monitor a child's progress, starting on the first day of school. Pay particular attention to the papers that your child brings home, the tests, the quizzes, the classroom work, the assignments that your child is doing and the progress that they're making on them. Watch your child while they're doing homework to see if they're at all frustrated, which may be an indicator that they don't understand and they might be falling behind.
How can I help an underachiever improve his performance?
An underachiever could refer to a student who is not achieving at the levels that have been designated or set, or a student who is not achieving up to his or her fullest potential. If your child is not performing at his very best level, there are many things that you can do. First, talk to your child and to your child's teacher to determine what the problem is. It could be that your child is bored, that your child is frustrated, easily distracted, or maybe not being challenged enough in the classroom. Work with the teacher to find solutions that can help your child get back on track and really reach that desired performance level.
When should a child be "held back" a grade?
Although there are many variables to consider when determining whether a child should be "held back" from a grade level, the most important is to determine if students are reaching the academic standard that has been set. When students are not meeting the academic standard in several areas or several subjects, then they are a candidate to be held back for a grade level.
What are the pros and cons of holding a child back a grade?
There are many pros and cons to be considered when deciding if a child should be held back. One of the pros is that a child may need more time to acquire the certain skills and certain knowledge that are necessary or expected in a certain grade level. However, some of the cons include social ramifications in that a student who is held back does not move on with his peer group and may not feel comfortable with the new peer group to which he is assigned.
What should I do if a teacher recommends holding my child back a grade?
If a teacher recommends holding back your child for a grade, it's important that you have open and clear communication with that child's teacher. It's important that you not only discuss the reasons why with the teacher, but also with the principal. Come up with other alternatives and other options to holding the child back to determine what would work best for your child. It's also important to bring your child into the conversation as well.
