As your teen enters high school, their academic workload will increase. Keeping up on homework, tackling tough reading assignments, and preparing for standardized tests all become important aspects of their educations. Parents can encourage success and help prepare their children for a post secondary education by staying actively involved in their learning process.
One of the most important aspects of academic success is parent involvement. At the very least, parents should monitor grades and meet with their teens teachers to discuss any major concerns. High school transcripts are used for college placement and scholarship applications. Be sure to reward your teen for academic success and continually emphasize the importance of education. Also, if your teen is struggling to make the grades, there may be resources available through their school. Encourage them to take responsibility to fix their own problems by communicating with their teachers, but be watchful for a time when intervening may become necessary.
In high school, homework becomes less about task completion and more about developing and utilizing effective study skills. Teens will acquire some difficult reading that is assigned to challenge them. Plus, with multiple classes at the same time, many teens will find themselves overwhelmed with exams to study for and papers to write. Providing a quiet place to study and a designated study time may assist them during stressful times. Also, be sure that your teen is performing at their grade level, and seek help if necessary.
Standardized testing is an important part of your teens education. SAT and ACT exams are used for academic assessment and college placement. Cognitive abilities and general knowledge are determined by the results of standardized tests. However, without the appropriate test taking skills, your teen may struggle with test anxiety or poor performance. Many tutorials exist for SAT and ACT testing that can be used in the home. Teens should be encouraged to prepare for these exams at regular intervals for best results.
