Progress reports, report cards. Parent teacher interviews… it’s that time of year for the first formal report of how kids are doing do far this grade.

The first report card can be a stressful time for parents and kids alike.  Maybe there might be a few unpleasant surprises, and maybe a few red flags, which can be stressful enough, but then to add to the stress, it’s also time for parent-teacher interviews.

Here’s the thing: parent–teacher interviews don’t have to be stressful!

Check out these tips for de-stressing the meeting-the-teacher process, and helping your kids get on the path to better grades.

Go to the interview. Even if your kid is pulling in straight A’s, going to the interview is a key part in parental involvement in education.  Studies show that the more parents are involved in their child’s education, the better grades their child gets. So go, meet the teachers that instruct and test your children, even if it’s just to shake hands and say, “nice to meet you.”

Prepare. Read the report card over before going to the interview.  Also, review any returned test or assignments that your child has be given to see if marks on the report card are aligned with marks on homework.  Bring examples of your child’s work with you to the interview if you have specific concerns.

Ask Questions. It’s not enough to just show up; parents should go into the interview informed. Have specific questions in mind in order to gain better insight classroom performance. Not sure what to ask? Asking how your child is performing in relation to the other students in the class is always a good conversation starting point. Try to keep the discussion academic.  It’s nice to hear that your child is the class charmer, but it doesn’t help help him reach his academic goals.

Set Goals.  If your child is getting a C+ and you’d like it to be a B+, then discuss actionable steps that can be taken starting right away to make this goal happen. Take notes, and set the actions in motion immediately—the next report card will be here before you know it! (Need some help setting goals?  Download our Academic Action Plan.)

Keep it Short and Friendly. Teachers and parents are on the same team when it comes to education, so being confrontational benefits no one. Also, keep in mind that the teacher has somewhere between 20 and 30 parents to meet with.  Your time is short, so maximize it!

Call Oxford Learning. Confused by report card jargon? Worried about poor grades? Concerned that your child is not being challenged enough? Call Oxford Learning to schedule a free report card consultation.  We can help you make sense of the report card! And, we’re a valuable part of your child’s academic support team.

Report Cards can be very stressful for families. Kids don’t want to disappoint their parents, or be punished for bad grades, and parents don’t want to find out that their child is struggling academically. While report cards can be stressful, they don’t have to be.

Before stress levels reaches the danger zone, consider the following:

It’s Still Early—this is the first report card, which means that there is still ample opportunity to make improvements this school year.

Language—report cards often contain confusing educational jargon, which can be frustrating. Forget the gobbledygook and focus on the teacher’s comments. These comments can give you a better idea of how your child is performing overall.

Context—some school years are more challenging than others. Certain grades are transition years, such as the first year of high school, or the shift from early to middle school. These years can be challenging to all students, regardless of their academic abilities.

Now that parents have read the report card, it’s time to have a chat with the kids about their grades. Here are some tips that will help parents—and kids—banish any icky report-card feelings:

1. Be calm, cool, and collected. If you’re upset or angry about grades, hold off on the discussion until you can speak calmly and rationally.
2. Say something nice. Start with empathetic and positive comments. Highlight something positive about the report card, no matter how trivial. For instance, “You are really kicking butt in English.”
3. Listen to your child. Recognize the struggles. School can be tough. It is helpful to students to know that you are listening to their concerns and complaints.

The final report card takeaway is this:

Problems Require Action! Remember that the report card is a red flag. There may be plenty of time left in the school year, but if you don’t act now, the urgency of poor grades will be forgotten.

Report cards are stressful. Report cards can be confusing. And, like it or not, they will be here before you know it.

Now that families everywhere have settled back into their school year routine, it’s time to start thinking about report cards. Too often, after the back-to-school rush is over, families relax into the school groove. Then the first report card arrives, and BLAM! Bad news: things are not going as smoothly as they should be.

Luckily, there are plenty of stay-in-the-loop tricks that parents can use to prevent a report card sneak attack.

5 Easy Tips to Take The ‘Uh-Oh’ Out of Report Cards:

1. Take five minutes to communicate with the teacher every week, via phone, email, or in person to ask how your child is doing in math/ reading/spelling/ listening, etc.

2. Go online. The Internet is a wonderful tool to keep informed. If your child’s class has a web page, log on and get involved.

3. Review past report cards. Chances are that school issues from last year will re-appear, so review previous report cards and keep your eye out for repeat problems.

4. Follow up when tests and assignments are returned to your child. How did it go? Were the results what you were expecting?

5. Don’t wait. If there are any issues, seek help as soon as you learn of them. The earlier that problems are addressed, the easier it becomes to fix those problems for the whole year through.

Parents don’t need a report card to know how their child is doing in school—staying involved every step of the way helps avoid report card stress, and gets school problems taken care of before they get out of hand.

After all, the only thing that should surprise you about report cards is how quickly they arrive.

Report cards aren’t always easy. You probably wouldn’t be reading this if they were. I probably wouldn’t be writing this if they were!

The one thing that can make the whole report card experience worse is getting yelled at by a parent about your grades.

Speaking from experience, getting yelled at or grounded never helped me get better grades. It only makes me angry and not want to talk at all.

The only thing that has ever helped me to get better grades is getting organized.

So parents, instead of getting angry at your child for getting a bad mark on their report card, try to talk to them about their grades. Don’t get mad. Don’t yell. Be calm.

Talk to teens calmly, and hopefully they’ll open up and discuss grades with you. That’s the easiest way to make a plan.

Ask them if they learned anything new or difficult today. If they did, offer to help them out a bit. Work together.

So, next time your child gets an okay mark on their report card, remember to come back to this page for help. And, be sure to tell me about your family’s report card experiences!

About me: Hi! My name is Dylan and I am 15 years old. I have recently been asked to write a few guest posts on the topic Teens: Why Do We Do What We Do?
About me: I go to South Secondary School in London, ON and I have two younger siblings. I have always been a movie guy. In the summer I love to bike with my friends down to the Thames River and ride along the trails. The sights and the entire ride are always beautiful. I also like to bake and listen to old music. I hope that you enjoy my posts! Remember to leave feedback! ~Dylan.

End-of-year report cards are almost here…with their arrival comes the potential for shocking and unpleasant revelations.

Report cards are generally upheld as the ultimate indicator of student progress—after all, they are the final word on a child’s academic progress in the school year—but the wait and the wondering about what the report card will reveal can be very stressful to both kids and parents alike.

In an attempt to remove the wondering and the unpleasant surprises from the reporting process, school boards across the US have implemented online programs such as EdLine, to help parents monitor their children’s daily academic standing.

According to an article in the New York Times called I Know What You Did Last Math Class these programs open the lines of communication and to keep parents informed at every possible opportunity throughout the school year, not just when report cards arrive.

The reporting technology fuels the debate about a parent’s level of involvement and what is or isn’t private in a child’s education. As you might expect, responses to programs that allow parents to monitor their child’s progress online vary from one end of the spectrum to the other.

Keeping informed of your child’s academic progress however is not dependent solely on new online technologies—there are many other warning signs throughout the year which signal that a student may be heading into academic hot water.

There are the newer technology or web-based indicators; school blogs, teacher sites, and class webpages where parents can log on and read what particular assignment a class is working on now. There are behavioral indications—bad attitudes about school, lack of motivation, lying, skipping classes; and there are the more obvious warnings—a poor mark on a test, homework not completed, or even the dreaded a call from the teacher.

Regardless of any warning signs that may have been missed during the school year, the end-of-year report card is the final update. And while it may be the end of the road for progress in the school year, it doesn’t mean that all hope for the academic future is lost.

After all, there is still the summer to get the kids back on track, even if there is no online monitoring program.

More on that next time.

It’s report card season.

For parents of achieving students it’s a time to celebrate your child’s hard work.

For parents of under-achieving students it’s a time that is not looked forward to.

For parents of teens, it can be a whole other issue altogether. (see previous entry about how parent-teacher interviews can go horribly wrong)

Teens can be uncommunicative at best, so one school in Baltimore came up with a unique solution to talking to teens about report cards—they brought in neutral third party from John’s Hopkins who are not invested in the report card results.

The third party is objective and not likely to be upset by poor grades the way a teacher or parent is. The third party has a better chance of communicating with the teen about poor grades without the teen getting defensive or upset.

And so far, the program is working. It’s an opportunity for teens to talk formally about their progress and goals with an objective adult—a system that is especially good for teens too proud or embarrassed to ask for help.

Successful Parent-Teacher Interviews:

• Part One
• Part Two
• Part Three

The Parent-Teacher Interview. Those four words can raise anxiety levels among both students and parents. However this interview can be highly beneficial to your child-s school year success. By following our key steps to success, parents can make the interview a more informative and rewarding experience.

Hopefully you’ve read our previous posts about preparing for the parent-teacher interview and getting the most from the interview itself. But, all of this effort may go for naught unless you have a plan to follow-up.

The Follow-up Action Plan

Agree on an action plan

Before you leave, summarize the key learnings and identify next steps. It is important that you and the teacher agree on the same goals for your child and outline the next steps that need to be taken. Successful goal setting means that goals are achievable, measurable and believable.

• Achievable: Goals need to be set at a level that is more advanced than the level the child is currently working at, but not so advanced that they are unachievable or beyond reach.
• Measurable: Goals need to be measurable so that parents, students and the teacher are able to track progress and success.
• Believable: Children must believe in the goal and believe in their ability to achieve it for success.

Set a date for you to follow up

Once a plan of action has been established, ensure this is monitored.

Monthly reviews of how your child stands against these goals are a great way to keep the momentum moving forward. It’s also a great way to measure your child’s success and progress in achieving his/her goals because it gives him/her a timeline to work towards.

Most importantly, before leaving the interview, set a firm date to follow up and meet with the teacher again so you can review your child’s improvements and ensure he/she is on track (for example, if the interview is in November, schedule a follow-up just before the holidays).

Ask about alternative help

Ask about alternatives. Do not be afraid to ask if extra help, such as a supplemental educational program from Oxford Learning, would benefit your child. You can also talk to student services or the principal about meeting with an education expert for advice and guidance.

“Nothing motivates a child more than a home where learning is valued,” says Kelley McGregor, Director of Training and Operation, Oxford Learning. “If parents show a close interest in their children’s school progress, help with homework and home projects, and attend their children’s school performances and sports events, their children are more likely to have higher student achievement, higher aspirations, better attendance, and a more positive relationship with their teachers.”

Successful Parent-Teacher Interviews:

• Part One
• Part Two
• Part Three

The Parent-Teacher Interview. Those four words can raise anxiety levels among both students and parents. However this interview can be highly beneficial to your child’s school year success. By following our key steps to success, parents can make the interview a more informative and rewarding experience.

Hopefully you’’ve read our previous post about preparing for the parent-teacher interview. Now’’s it time to get the most from the interview itself.

The Interview Itself

Take a note pad with your questions and take notes

Taking notes lets the teacher know you are interested and serious about your child’s education. You also have a better chance of remembering what you have discussed and agreed upon

Don’t be confrontational

Nothing positive is accomplished if you are hostile or confrontational. This is a time to exchange information about your child and agree on a plan of action.

If you do not agree with the teacher’s opinion, stay calm. Ask the teacher to elaborate on his/her view point and assure the teacher that you are not there to criticize but rather to work closely and foster a team approach to your child’s education.

Ask for suggestions

Encourage the teacher to provide you with suggestions on how you can improve your child’s skills. If you pose the question “Do you have concerns about my child’s reading skills level?” and the teacher responds with “He/she’s coming along, give him/her time.”, then counter with “What can I be doing at home to help him/her along? Can you recommend materials?”

Don’t waste time with broad questions

Due to the short amount of time you have with your child’s teacher, bring a list of prepared questions and avoid the broad “How’s my child doing?” question. You want to ensure you are maximizing this valuable time by seeking out as much information as possible that will help your child reach their full potential.

In our next post, we’’ll discuss the third step for a successful parent-teacher interview, making a follow-up action plan.

Successful Parent-Teacher Interviews:

• Part One
• Part Two
• Part Three

The Parent-Teacher Interview. Those four words can raise anxiety levels among both students and parents. However this interview can be highly beneficial to your child’s school year success. By following our key steps to success, parents can make the interview a more informative and rewarding experience.

Parents’ Advance Work

Review your child’s most recent report card, together with past report cards

Report cards can actually tell you a lot more than a first glance may indicate. Take out a highlighter and mark the areas of concern. Look for any trends or common themes that are repeated from the previous report card. Look to see if the same challenges exist or new challenges have developed.

Review your child’s most recent school work

By reviewing the report card first, you can now review your child’s school work with more background information. Is the work organized? Does the work generally look complete and accurate? How is the spelling and grammar? Think about the grades and comments on the report card and check if the school work reflects this view. If you have concerns, write them down and ask the teacher.

Discuss your upcoming parent-teacher interview with your child

Interview your child before the parent-teacher interview! You will be amazed at what you learn! Sometimes our perceptions as a parent are not aligned with our kids. Ask your child:

• What is your teacher going to say about your work?
• What will the teacher say about you?
• What do you think you do really well?
• What do you need to focus on?
• Do you want me to ask the teacher any specific questions?

Come with prepared questions

While there is no time limit when it comes to a parent’s love for talking about their children, there is a definite time limit to every parent-teacher interview. The meeting is usually no more than 10 to 15 minutes.

In order to maximize the time, make your questions specific and organize them in order of importance. Here are examples of good questions for a parent-teacher interview:

• Do you have any concerns about my child’s skills level?
• Does my child have difficulty listening to and/or following instructions?
• Does my child have difficulty staying on task?
• Does my child have difficulty organizing notes, work, stories, etc.?
• Does my child have difficultycompleting assignments?
• Does my child read with comprehension?
• How well does my child read and understand words?
• Does my child actively participate in your class?
• Does my child hand in assignments on time, complete and at an acceptable level?
• What work areas does my child like best?
• What areas are more difficult for my child?
• What are my child’s learning strengths?
• Are there things we can do at home to help my child?
• Do you have suggestions for me to discuss with my child?
• Does my child seem to enjoy coming to your class?
• Is there anything about my child’s behaviour or performance that you would like to share?

In our next post, we’ll discuss the second step for a successful parent-teacher interview, making the most of the interview itself.

In case you missed it, read part 1 Deciphering Your Child’s Report Card Part One

Oxford Learning recommends that parents and children examine report cards together. This can help open lines of communication about the child’s achievements and needs for improvement. Be positive and avoid arguments. This is the time to begin developing goals and an action plan that can lead to strengthened skills, improved grades, self-confidence and motivation.

“Sit down with your child after dinner when the household is quiet and review the report card together,” says Kelley McGregor, Director of Training and Operation, Oxford Learning. “Always start with empathetic and positive comments such as: This is a big year. I know it’s harder this year. We are really pleased with your spelling; or, you are showing great improvement in science. Next, review learning strengths. Children need praise. Congratulate them and tell them how well they are doing. Now is the time to address challenges and set the plan for the rest of the year. Children quickly sense if you are on their side. By telling them how proud you are, you give them the confidence and support they need to manage difficulties and strive for improvements. Only after you have accentuated the positive should you address the key areas that need improvement.”

When the News Isn’t Positive: Your Child is Not Alone

Most children have at least one subject that could benefit from special attention, and it is often the same subject as the year before. Chances are that if a student had trouble with a subject last year and didn’t work on it over the summer, the challenges are even more overwhelming and demoralizing in the new school year. If the child had difficulty with reading comprehension or problem-solving, it is crucial that it be addressed as soon as possible.

“Don’t be surprised or disappointed if the comments are similar to the previous year, this is a clear signal that your child needs help,” says Ms. McGregor. “Look for common themes and quickly recognize the symptoms of academic challenges. If your child complains about or is very unhappy about a particular teacher or course, take it seriously.”

Traditionally, children who are doing well in class and achieving their potential, do not complain very much. It’s usually those students who are struggling who are most vocal. Their complaints are often a call for help. Listen carefully without interruption. Parents are often amazed by how much they can learn about their child through the process of reviewing a report card, and listening to their explanations.

Once parents have reviewed ’the facts’ of their child’s report card, the most important section to look at is the teacher’s personal comments. Teachers will usually provide their insights into learning strengths and identify areas that require improvement. Some reports also provide a comparative analysis between your child and the rest of the class. This will help parents gauge whether or not their child is picking up as easily as most of the other children in the class.

A child’s approach to homework, assignments and studying, is often a good indication of their comfort with their school work. Study skills are often a child’s biggest problem and too often students are never taught how to study and how to learn. This basic skill will help every child improve their success. “Spend a few moments watching how your child does homework,” recommends Ms. McGregor. “You will be surprised at how much you can discern from this little task, and be optimistic, because new and better study skills can be learned at any age.”