Bringing Up Grades in Middle School
Follow Up, Consistency and Tutors Help Middle Grade Students
Jun 10, 2009
The following tips can help students improve their grades. The key is that the parents are consistent and follow up, even when the child does not seem to want the parent involved.
Support the Child
Many parents of middle school age children feel that they can allow the child more more academic freedom. Students who struggle in school need a parent standing beside them at the kitchen table when it is time to do homework. The problem with middle school age students is that they tell their parents that they do not want or need them. However, most students will not readily admit it, but they really want their parents to help.
Contact the Teacher
When the first mid-term reports arrives with poor marks, contact the teacher. The teacher should be able to give the parent a list of missing or incomplete assignments, as well as current test and quiz scores. Many teachers will be able to email this report. And, many teachers prefer to communicate through email. In addition, the teacher can make suggestions on how the child can improve academic performance.
Diagnose Academic Problem
To diagnose the problem, a parent needs to learn if the child is having difficulties due to not doing the work or doing it poorly. If the child is missing assignments, this is an easier fix. If the child does not understand the content or is struggling to complete assignments, then the parent and child will need intervention.
Missing Assignments
Once a parent has assessed that a child is just not doing the work, a plan needs to be made. There can be rewards and consequences for work completed or not completed.
If the child brings home a progress report each week with no missing assignments, then the child can have a small reward decided upon by the parent and child. It could be extra time on the computer, cell phone or television. Or, it could be having a friend come to the house. Consequences could be loss of time with friends, computer, television or cell phone.
Not Understanding Content
Not understand the content means additional help is needed. If the child struggles in an area where the parent can help, the parent needs to show the child how to study and how to learn the material.
If the parent is not familiar with the content, the guidance office at school usually has a list of teachers or older students who can help for a small fee. Also, universities with education majors usually have programs or lists of students who can tutor.
Many times a student will be fine after a few sessions. However, some will need even more help or intervention. There are learning centers such as Sylvan Learning Center or Huntington Learning Center in most metropolitan areas that specialize in helping students. There is a fee for this as well.
They key in helping middle school student improve is for parents to stay on top of the problem. Many parents will check missing assignments diligently for two weeks. Then, they will stop, and the child will accrue another list of missing assignments. In middle school, students still need their parents checking up on them consistently.
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