My child is really struggling in school; what can I do?
We discuss recommendations and some steps to take with their school.
While there are some obvious signs that your child is struggling, some of their signals may be more subtle. Today, we discuss signs that your child needs more support and early interventions to help get your student back on track.
Signs your child is struggling:
Obvious signs:
slipping grades
requests for help
claiming to be confused or lost more frequently
Subtle signs:
refusing to attend school
claiming to be sick much more often
beginning to claim they hate school
acting out in class
starting to act more like a "class clown."
"forgetting" or "losing" homework more often
First steps you can take:
Gather data about your child's progress, including report cards, test scores, recent work, etc. You may also call your student's teacher(s) and ask if they've noticed a recent change.
This information can help determine whether this is a newer issue and if it's happening across the board or in specific subjects or topics.
2. If the issue is limited to specific topics:
Consider hiring a private tutor specializing in your child's age and their needed subject matter.
If a private tutor is not feasible, ask your child's school about free tutoring sessions. You may also find free tutoring at a local college's teacher education program.
3. If the issue is more pervasive:
Consider speaking to your child's teacher about their Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) or Response to Intervention (RTI) programs. These programs provide students with increased instructional support coupled with systematic data collection to monitor students' progress with additional support.
4. Continue monitoring your child's progress.
If you don't feel your child is showing adequate progress, there are additional steps you can take. These steps may include requesting a psychoeducational evaluation to understand better your child's learning, strengths, and areas needing extra support. A psychoeducational evaluation may lead to a learning disability diagnosis.
The fact that you're so tuned into your child's education means you're already beginning to take steps to support your child best. However, this process can be overwhelming. We provide several services to support parents and students, including private tutoring and educational evaluations. If any of these signs sound familiar, book a free consultation today to discuss the next steps.