By Raymond J. Huntington and Eileen Huntington www.huntingtonlearning.com
For most families, December brings a respite from homework and testing pressures and a chance for festive,
leisurely activities. But just because school seems "out of sight" doesn't mean it should take a holiday
break from your mind. In fact, if your child has stumbled academically during the first or second quarter, December
- the midpoint of the school year - may actually be the "make or break" opportunity to get back on
track.
So how do you know if your child is truly prepared for the semester ahead? Obviously, report cards are one
of the best indicators. Good grades that are consistent with your child's abilities and past performance tend
to be a good predictor of future performance if students continue putting forth enough effort. Poor grades -
and grades that dropped noticeably from the first quarter to the second - are a certain sign that your son or
daughter is heading toward trouble, particularly since future assignments will build on the knowledge and skills
your child is supposed to have gained thus far.
Test scores are another good indicator. Today, most schools and school systems begin the year with diagnostic
tests to gauge students' reading levels and mathematics, reasoning and critical thinking skills. While it's
natural for parents to simply look at the scores for the assurance that students are "measuring up,"
it can usually be helpful to look more closely at the areas in which your child excelled or faltered. If your
child has scored at the top percentile in reading or mathematics, this should encourage you - and your child's
teachers - to consider Advanced Placement or Merit courses that will make the most of these skills. Poor scores
obviously call for extra attention to ensure that your child catches up before the work gets much more difficult
You should also pay attention to the other factors that impact learning and achievement. One of the most important
is your child's attitude. Sometimes, bright students get bad grades for behavior-related activities. Does your
child hand in his or her homework? Is it correct and on time? Is your child bored with schoolwork, and not paying
enough attention? These are not excuses; they are symptoms of different problems. You must identify these issues
before you can remedy the problems.
Another important factor is your child's study habits - and the studying environment in your home. Many parents
kick off the school year by talking with teachers about how much homework they expect to assign and then set
up firm schedules for "homework time" after school and in the evenings. But by mid-year, many of these
schedules become a bit more flexible. If your child tends to be self-motivated and is showing strong progress,
flexibility can be a good thing. If he or she is faltering, it's time to put that schedule back in place, and
stick to it.
The mid-point of the school year is also a good time for a verbal check-up with your child, and his or her
teachers. If your son or daughter received poor grades, have a frank discussion about why. Does he or she take
the situation seriously? How does he or she plan to improve? It's important that your child knows you take the
situation seriously. Let your child know you're supportive - and that you believe in his or her abilities.
These same questions should be posed to teachers and counselors. What specific skills is your child struggling
to master? Are there any attitudinal factors that are impacting his or her achievement? What resources does
the school offer for students who need help catching up - or getting ahead?
A mid-year check-up is also an opportunity to get your child more engaged in the learning process. Keeping
in mind that children, like all of us, feel successful when they accomplish goals, work with your child to determine
learning and achievement objectives that are attainable with a reasonable amount of time and effort. Whether
your child strives to master the multiplication tables, get "A"s and "B"s in core academic
subjects, or read several works of classic literature, it's important to determine, together, how to reach these
goals.
About the Authors: Raymond J. Huntington and Eileen Huntington are co-founders of Huntington
Learning Center, which has provided supplemental education services to local communities for 26 years. Ray Huntington
is a doctoral statistician who has served as a business analyst with a Fortune 500 company and an instructor
of college-level mathematics and statistics. His wife, Eileen, is a former junior and senior high school teacher
with a master's degree from Rutgers University. Visit www.huntingtonlearning.com
to learn more.
12/01/2005 |