Susan B. Brown, Ph.D.

1
Getting Back on Track
Strategies for Improving Academic Performance

• Susan B. Brown, Ph.D.
• Department of Special Education
• Kennesaw State University

2
Parent Role

• Meet basic needs (food, clothing, shelter)
• Nurture child
• Address developmental needs
• Teach child survival skills
• Socialize child into society
• Provide structure
• Advocate for child

3
Choices

• Prioritize
• Nurturing
• Health
• Socialize
• Discipline
• Education

4
Causes of Poor School Performance

• Inappropriate expectations
• Mismatch in teacher/learner styles
• Poor organizational skills
• Learning disability
• Emotional issues
• Lack of motivation

5
Parent-Teacher Communication Strategies

• Focus What is purpose of communication?
• Organization Prioritize items to address
• Positive Start with positive phrase concerns
  in positive terms
• Ownership Shared concern and responsibility for
  student success
• Goals set tasks to be completed and timeline
• Summarize end with summary of main points

6
Parent Child Strategies

• Relate learning to real life situations
• Keep child actively involved in learning
• Make learning fun
• Provide structured time place for homework
• Model organizational skills and time management
  skills
• Be prepared stock appropriate materials,
  resources
• Document time spent on homework
• Nurture but allow natural consequences