In my last post, I talked about strategies for parents when a child brings home a bad grade. We discussed what positive actions parents can take when first confronted with a failing, or nearly failing, grade on a report card. This week, I will give you some tips for helping your child to raise their grade. These tips can be started any time during the school year, hopefully, as soon as you see grades slipping.

Create a Study Plan

There are two major types of study plans. One is a general plan that includes an overall look at how your child completes homework each night. The following is an example of a general study plan:

• Homework start time is 6: 30 P.M.
• English/Literature should take approximately 30 minutes
• Math should take approximately 45 minutes
• Social Studies should take approximately 15 minutes
• Science should take approximately 30 minutes
• Total time for homework is 2 hours.
• Work from 6:30 to 7:30, take 15 minute break, everything should be done around 8:45 P.M.

A more specific study plan might include:

English

• Read assignment first
• Work on grammar rules, writing or answering questions after reading is complete

Math

• Study formulas using flash cards, writing formula ten times, repeating formulas out loud
• Work on problems I know first, then go back to those I have questions about

Social Studies

• Make up flash cards for specific facts and dates
• Read assignment into tape recorder
• Listen to assignment

As you can see, the study plan takes the specific student's trouble areas into consideration. If your child has difficulty with reading comprehension, reading the assignment into a tape recorder and then playing back will engage more of the senses and may help your child in retaining information. A study plan should provide your child with specific study strategies to be followed every day.

Use a Tutor

Many parents are hesitant about using tutors, not because they don't want their child to succeed but because the cost is sometimes prohibitive. Today, however, there are many different options for tutoring, some of which are free or less expensive than the traditional tutoring and learning centers.

Check with your school district to find out if they offer tutoring services after school. Some schools have teachers who work with students in the resource center. Different subjects might be highlighted on certain days, for example, on Tuesdays and Thursdays a math teacher may be in the tutoring center, on Mondays and Wednesdays an English teacher might be available. These services are often free.

Use online tutoring. There are a variety of online tutoring sites. Some help with younger children, some offer standardized testing programs. Take the time to read about several different sites to find the right match for your child. Tutoring sites do require a fee but are less expensive than traditional learning centers.

Contact your school's guidance office and ask if they can recommend an older student who would be interested in tutoring your child. There are often students in the older grades that excel in a certain subject and would be willing to work with your child. Student tutors are less expensive than professional tutors. If there is a local college, you can also check there for student tutors.