If your child should come home with a failing grade, there are questions to ask yourself to help you both find your way to a solution. First, what does a failing grade mean in terms of academics?

• How involved are you with your child’s schoolwork? Become aware of her classes, teachers, current assignments, and semester goals. Help your child understand assignment directions and track due dates.
• Do you oversee homework? Make this failing grade and educable moment for both of you. Reevaluate study skills, homework time and make clear your expectations.
• Is it time for a tutor? Your child may need special one-on-one attention to get through a rough spot or difficult subject.

Next, is a failing grade a sign of deeper problems? Consider your child’s behavior and environment.

• Is she acting out in other ways? Perhaps her academic difficulties are symptoms of other issues. Discord within the family, depression and anxiety, or experimentation with drugs and alcohol are just some of the conditions that can lead to school failure. Monitor and observe your child’s behavior and evaluate the stressors in her life.
• Is your child’s home life structured enough to accommodate daily time to address schoolwork? Create an atmosphere that is conducive to study and create specific guidelines and limits for completing work.
• Is your child spending too much time on the phone, IM-ing, surfing the web or in front of the TV? Limit these activities until after homework is completed to your satisfaction.
• Does your child have learning difficulties? If you suspect but are unsure if your child has a diagnosis such as Attention Deficit Disorder or Dyslexia, you can have your child evaluated for special education services. (IEP - Individualized Education Services) Contact your school guidance counselor for more information regarding these services.

A feeling of connection to parents is important to a student’s success. Help your child to mature by teaching values of responsibility, motivation and persistence. Her bad report card is an invitation to become more involved in her life and future.

Richard B. Cohen LMFT, CCBT, CDVC, MAC