But there are some things parents need to do no matter whether their teen brings home a good or a bad report card.

1. Start by focusing on your teen’s strengths. A student with a poor report card has probably made some effort to improve.

Look for a raised grade in math or a comment on how hard your teen is working. Straight-A students sometimes feel that their parents have come to expect good grades and don’t always let their pride show.

2. Next, look for trends. Look back at the grades your teen has earned this year. If possible, get last year’s report card as well. Do you see a pattern—either steady signs of improvement or grades that have been dropping? Usually a single grade is less important than the overall trend.

3. Finally, set a goal or two. Ask your teen to try to write down at least one goal for the next marking period . . . and then develop a plan to achieve it.

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