Be sure to follow-up by contacting the teacher about signs of improvement. Look for signs of trouble. The quality of a student s work may reflect more than just difficulty with coursework. As parents we need to show concern and listen. It s appropriate to ask about what is going on, in general, such as demands upon student s time.
Outside activities can pull time, energy and focus away from academics.
For example, foreign languages should be practiced at least 20 minutes daily. Work with your student to develop a plan for success by contacting teacher or using other available resources. McLaren also noted that attendance is vital and missing a couple of days, even if excused, can have a big impact. It puts the student behind in work and may be a hardship for some students. Help is available from a variety of sources.