School Performance

Underachievement can have many origins, but there are strategies that help to reverse it.

A variety of tests may be given to determine a child's giftedness. Assessors sometimes try to test the limits of a child's knowledge.

Ask a school counselor to observe your child's classroom behavior when he has trouble completing seatwork.

A school psychologist can explain the various tests (e.g., what they are designed to measure), discuss your daughter's performance, and comment on how that is relevant to her current performance.

Skipping a child a year means that she will always be one of the youngest students in her class, which may be difficult for her.

There is no definitive way to explain why some gifted children do not achieve their potential. Likewise, there are no universal solutions.

Play to your child's interests in order to motivate him academically.

A smart but distracted child may just need a bit of time to play developmental catch-up.

More than one achievement test score needs to be looked at in order to determine if your child's school is providing him and the other students with the education they deserve.

Here are some ways you can help your child slow down.

With an underperforming child, family and school need to work as a team. Here's how to do it.

Retention may not be necessary with enough skill-building during the summer.

When your child is enmeshed in a heated rivalry at school, it's up to you and the teacher to turn down the heat.

Unfortunately, sometimes a teacher is just not a good match for a child.

How can you encourage your child to self-motivate?

Some children get distracted during classtime. It can be a problem -- even if their grades aren't affected.

It's rarely a good idea to hold back a good student simply because she wants to stick around.

Holding your child back a grade can backfire. What do you do then?