It’s tough seeing your teen struggle with their grades, especially when they’re facing the pressure of failing. However, it’s important to remember that this is an opportunity for growth. With the right strategies, support, and a proactive approach, your teen can not only turn their grades around but also develop valuable skills that will serve them in the future. Here’s how you can help your teen manage and overcome failing grades.

Connect with Advisors and Teachers

The first step in addressing failing grades is to connect with the folks who can provide the most insight into the situation- teachers, advisors, and support staff. Establishing communication will give you a clearer understanding of the issue and open up avenues for support.

Review the Grade Structure: Understand how grades are calculated in each subject. Are assignments, tests, homework, or attendance having the biggest impact? Knowing the weight of each component can help you and your teen prioritize areas for improvement.
Pinpoint the Issue: Identify what is most impacting the grade. Is it missed assignments, low test scores, or poor attendance? The more specific about the problem you can be the easier it is to create a more targeted solution.

Create a Plan

Once you’ve gathered the necessary information, it’s time to work with teachers or support providers to create a tailored plan for improvement. Taking a proactive, team-oriented approach will help your teen succeed. Additionally, this collaborative effort can help set clear expectations and actions.

Attend Office Hours: Encourage your teen to attend teacher office hours to ask questions, get extra help, and clarify any confusing material. Office hours are also a great opportunity for students to get more individualized support from teachers.
Alternative Assessment Options: Sometimes traditional tests or assignments may not be the best way for a student to demonstrate understanding. If this is the case, ask the teacher about alternative ways to assess learning, such as project-based learning assignments or oral presentations. Additionally, if the stress of deadlines is contributing to low grades, remind your teen that it’s okay to request extensions.
Homework Completion Support: If homework is challenging, consider whether your teen needs structured reminders or a designated time and place to focus. If they’re completing assignments but struggling to submit them on time, help them develop a system to turn in work consistently. Work with your child’s tutor or educational therapist to develop effective strategies around homework management and areas of executive functioning like organization.

Promote Teen Accountability

This is a key moment for your teen to take ownership of their learning. Encourage independence by having your teen engage in this process and take the lead when appropriate.

Email the Teacher: Support your teen in taking the initiative to email the teacher and request a meeting or clarification regarding their grade. This is a great way to help them learn to advocate for themselves. Point your teen to practical resources like this one: How to write an email to your teacher (with examples)
Attend Meetings Together: Be there for support during meetings, but allow your teen to take the lead in the conversation. This empowers them to ask questions, share their experience and actively participate in discussions about their progress.
Follow-Up On Progress: Encourage your teen to follow up with the teacher regularly to check on their progress. This will build accountability and ensure that they stay on track with the agreed-upon plan. Teaching your teen to regularly check their grade portals is also a way of fostering a sense of responsibility for their academic progress.

Managing failing grades is not just about raising a teen’s GPA– it’s about teaching how to take control of their learning, communicate effectively, and be proactive when challenges arise. By working closely with teachers, setting up a plan, and promoting accountability you’re helping your teen develop crucial skills that will benefit them both in school and beyond. And remember, Strategies for Learning is here to support you too! Whether it’s collaborating with your school team or helping create a plan that works for both you and your teen, we’re always ready to help. Contact us to learn more!

Written by Joi Ward, SfL Clinician, M.Ed, MA