How Parents Can Best Assess the Mid-Year Report Card

How Parents Can Best Assess the Mid-Year Report Card It is report card timesomething many parents and students dread. But they shouldnt, says Eileen Huntington, co-founder of Huntington Learning Center. Every parent would love to see a report card full of As and glowing remarks about their childs love of learning and work ethic, but remind yourself that the report card is a valuable tool, says Huntington. Think of it as an opportunity to help your child, to address and overcome any issues together.What should parents look for when reviewing the report card? Huntington suggests evaluating your childs report card for these five things:Study skills What does your childs report card indicate about his or her ability to focus, take initiative and manage his or her time? says Huntington. Developing good study skills is an important part of becoming an effective student. That involves staying organized at home and at school, keeping track of assignments and projects, and learning to prioritize.Good effort Being involved in homework will giv e you a good sense of your childs effort level, but pay attention to marks and comments on the report card that address this, too. Talk with the teacher about it. Trying hard is important, but if your childs grades dont reflect his or her effort, there may be a deeper problem.Red flags Red flags are warning signs of potential issues. We suggest looking beyond the grades, because your childs attitude about and commitment to learning are just as important, says Huntington. Do the teachers remarks indicate your child is unmotivated or has difficulty listening and staying focused? Does he or she talk too much in class or avoid school work?Behavioral issues Is your childs teacher reporting indifference or apathy on your childs part? Or is he or she acting out? Often, struggling students feel worthless and stupid, says Huntington. When your child is beyond frustration, beyond trying or caring, his or her behavior may worsenespecially at school.Strengths Often, theres so much focus on t he bad parts of the report card that we forget to pay attention to the areas where students excel, Huntington says. One of the best ways to build childrens self-esteem is to help them find the thing that makes them feel successful. Remember to notice and celebrate your childs strengths.