Teen academic struggles are a source of concern for many parents and caregivers. As a parent, you often ask why your teen is failing school and doesn’t seem to care. Is it a sign of teen defiance, or is there more to it? Your teenager’s poor grades and lack of concern must be extremely frustrating and worrying. There can be many reasons behind this situation, like a learning disability or lack of motivation, and it’s important to approach it with understanding and open communication. It is not easy to watch your beloved child fail at something as fundamentally important in today’s society as education.
If you have noticed that your teen has started failing in school, this guide is for you. This guide seeks to analyze the causes, effects, and possible solutions to help your teen get back on track with their academics.
Understanding the Academic Struggles of Teens
The National Center for Education Statistics estimated that the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on 84% of teens who attended public schools. The statistics noted that in the 2021-22 academic year, many students had a decline in their socio-emotional development, which led to a deterioration in their academic performance. The same study reported increased classroom rowdiness and misconduct, which rose to 56%. It also indicated an increase in outside-the-classroom rowdiness to 48%.
Cases of disrespect directed towards teachers and school staff also rose to 48% in the same period. These statistics demonstrate various academic struggles, not just inadequate performance in exams. Therefore, as a parent or caregiver, understanding why your teen struggles in school is essential in helping them improve.
Recognizing the Signs of Teen Academic Difficulties
Academic underperformance and other educational challenges can be pointed out easily if you pay close attention to your teen. Some signs that your teen is experiencing academic difficulties include the following:
- Receiving bad reports from teachers: It is not uncommon to receive bad reports concerning your teen from teachers. However, when it becomes persistent, you may start getting worried. It may indicate your teen is engaging in serious misconduct or failing class.
- Delinquency: As teens grow, they are likely to engage in risky behavior, such as skipping school and misconduct within the school. Delinquency can be a sign of an underlying academic issue and should be addressed immediately after it is observed. Addressing delinquency will keep your teen safe and ensure their behavior does not escalate to more serious offenses.
- Having trouble completing homework: Many teens dread doing their homework because they do not prioritize school. If you notice your teen no longer does their homework, be wary of the fact that they may be struggling academically.
- They are not turning in assignments: Another sign of academic struggles is failing to hand in their assignments. Failure to hand in homework may detrimentally affect your child’s kid’s final grade in that class.
- Low grades in certain subjects: If you notice teen’s grades in certain subjects are falling, you should talk to them about it. Failing in class may indicate an underlying issue that may worsen if not addressed immediately.
- A change in attitude toward school: Have you noticed that your teen’s attitude towards school has changed? They may not want to go to school or always have a negative comment about their school experience. Chatting with them about the issue is important to ensure it is not caused by bullying and other academic struggles.
- Physical symptoms of distress: Insomnia, anxiety, and lack of appetite are physical manifestations of stress and anxiety. If your child kid is not keeping up with their classwork and exhibits these symptoms, it may be time to intervene. Engage them on the issue and encourage them to talk about why school is causing them so much distress.
- Refusing to discuss or withholding their report card: Failure and shame are often connected. Your teen may have failed a class and do not want to discuss the issue because they feel ashamed. It is important to recognize such signs to help your teen improve.
Potential Reasons Behind Poor Academic Performance
Factors affecting student grades vary from one teen to another. The following are some causes of poor academic performance:
Family Issues
One of the leading causes of academic underperformance in teens is family issues. Family challenges such as divorce, financial instability, sibling bullying, conflict, and death may negatively affect your teen’s academic performance. Adolescence is a critical stage in every teen’s life where they experience fluctuating emotions and changes. These changes can make it difficult for your teen to adapt to changes in family dynamics or other stressful events like losing a loved one. However, like every other challenge, family issues can be overcome through therapy and changes in family dynamics.
Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities may be the cause of your teen’s academic woes. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Learning disabilities can be present from a very early age in children. Still, they often aren’t recognized until the child starts school. As many as 2.3 million teens have been diagnosed with specific learning disorders (SLD) that require special accommodation or special education services.
Learning disabilities can be caught early but may present as your teen develops. SLDs make it difficult for teens to understand concepts that may be crucial in them passing the class. If your teen has been diagnosed with dyslexia, Attention – deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and dyspraxia, then they may have trouble learning in school.
Lack of Motivation
Academic challenges do not always arise from serious factors. They may arise from a lack of motivation or confidence to commit to school. If your teen has been struggling with a particular subject, they may lose motivation to learn it and give up. They space out and fantasize about other things rather than listen in class. Once they come around, they are confused even more and have trouble understanding the concept. You should motivate them to overcome the challenges and offer assistance if they need help in particular subjects.
Mental Health Challenges
Over the last two decades, research on mental health has encouraged more teens to seek help. The shame and stigma associated with mental health have reduced as people have a clearer understanding of these issues. Teens with depression, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, substance abuse disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, stress, and anxiety may have trouble at school. It can be difficult for your teen to concentrate in class when they are constantly anxious or going through a depressive episode.
Coping with academic stress can be challenging for any teen. You should seek help if your teen is struggling with a mental health condition.
Peer Pressure
Peer influence on academics cannot be ignored. Due to peer dynamics, your teen may engage in activities, such as drug abuse or skipping school, that negatively impact their academic performance. As teens grow, they are more likely to engage in risky behavior as a group. Your teen’s peers may also decide they do not like a certain subject and influence your teen to be disinterested in that subject. That isus why it is important to teach your teen assertiveness and critical thinking so they do not engage in maladaptive behavior in school.
Technology and Social Media
In the age of technology, many parents complain that their teens are spending too much time on their phones or video games. Today’s world requires people to be tech-savvy, but too much reliance on technology can negatively impact your teen’s academic performance. Technology’s influence on academics is usually understated since teen will use the excuse that they are learning on their computers or mobile phones.
Social media distractions also prevent teens from focusing on homework or class assignments. Parents need to introduce digital well-being and screen time restrictions to ensure their teens are not too engrossed in technology and social media.
Impact of Academic Failure on a Teenager's Future
Academic failure can be detrimental to a bright future. Like any other parent or caregiver, you want to see your teen grow up to be successful. Academic failure can impact your teen’s college admission prospects and career opportunities. If your teen fails in school, they may not achieve their desired career or academic goals. Every teen wants to attend college since it is an opportunity to be free and have fun. However, if they fail, their college prospects will be halted.
If your teen is unable to attend college, they may be stuck in a cycle where they have to work minimum wage jobs to get by. Education is important today, and every parent should encourage their teens to pay attention in school.
Parental Approaches for Overcoming Teen Academic Struggles
As a parent or caregiver, you are not entirely helpless regarding your teen’s academic performance. You can utilize various approaches to help your teen improve their academic performance. These approaches include the following:
Addressing Your Concerns
It is not uncommon to have parental worries when you see your teen struggling in school. You may need to talk through the issue with them. Communicate how their struggle makes you feel and offer advice on how they can improve in school. Parental involvement can determine whether your teen’s academics improve or deteriorate. Consider your teen’s academic struggles your own to address the issues effectively. Put yourself in their shoes and understand their perspective on things. Address the matter calmly and understanding to prevent your teen from shutting you out.
Effective Communication With Your Child
Effective communication with your teen is one of the greatest tools you can harness as a parent. Teens can be very sensitive and touchy on negative issues like poor performance in school and would immediately shut down if they feel threatened. To communicate effectively with your teen, put yourself on the same level as them. Do not have the conversation while standing over them, but sit down to maintain open dialogue. Speak to them empathetically and encourage them to speak by asking open-ended questions.
Academic struggles can be difficult to address with your teen since you may not fully understand the underlying causes of their woes. To lighten the burden of having such a serious conversation, you can bring it up when doing an activity together, like making breakfast. You must remember you don’t always have to talk. Actively listening to your child is the cornerstone of effective communication since it will help your teen feel heard and understood. After they talk, repeat what they said to them to prevent miscommunication.
Setting Realistic Expectations
Many parents want their children to be high achievers in every field. Having such expectations is not bad, but it can put unnecessary pressure on your teen. They may start feeling burdened with the responsibility of performing exceptionally in their exams, which can lead to less motivation in school. If your teen is struggling with such a burden, set realistic expectations for them. Avoid academic pressure and encourage your teen to make small steps.
If you set a realistic target, your teen will be encouraged to achieve it because they know they can. Reward them for every academic goal they achieve, and their improvement will continue.
Providing Emotional Support
Sometimes, academic struggles can be caused by a connection of various factors. Your teen can be experiencing a variety of issues that cause them distress. Providing emotional support through encouragement, helping them build self-esteem, and motivating them with rewards can drastically improve their academic struggles. Your teen may need a boost in confidence, and you may be the most important person to do this. Emotional support for teens struggling in school is crucial in turning their misfortunes into wins.
You have probably been in the same situation when you were younger. Feeling seen and loved helps build your teen’s confidence, self-esteem, and assertiveness,
Establishing Contact with the School and Teachers
A robust parent-teacher relationship is beneficial for teen academic struggles. Getting a teacher involved in your teen’s academics will offer insight into the areas your teen needs to improve. Teachers spend most of the day with your child and are more likely to understand why they are struggling.
A strong parent-teacher partnership will also allow you to discuss issues like bullying within the school. If your teen is a victim of bullying, they may find it difficult to concentrate in class, thus affecting their academic performance negatively.
Exploring Academic Support Programs
Another tool you can utilize to help your teen is exploring academic support programs. Educational assistance does not mean that your teen is ‘’stupid’; it simply means that they need help in areas they struggle with. Tutoring services can also be beneficial since they are personalized and focus on particular areas rather than the whole syllabus.
Some schools may not have the necessary resources to focus on each teen’s areas of struggle, but a tutor will. Your teen may need some extra help to improve their grades.
Collaborating with the School in Parent-Teacher Conferences
School meetings are a fundamental part of your teen’s educational journey. They give parents a chance to understand how the school is run and whether any improvements can be made to improve your child’s life in school. School conferences offer an opportunity for parental participation and give parents their teen’s academic progress updates.
A parent-teacher conference also allows parents to inform teachers of their teens’ weaknesses and how they can address these issues. Lastly, it gives parents the chance to discuss various interventions that can be made to ensure their child is supported as they go through the academic journey.
Seeking Professional Help
If the causes of your teen’s academic decline are serious enough, you may need to seek professional help. At our teen treatment center, we are committed to helping teens struggling with various mental health conditions and academic counseling. Our tailor-made programs are personalized to your teen’s needs to ensure improvement and recovery.
Key Healthcare offers professional services for teens in Los Angeles, California. Our wide range of services, including the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), and Residential Treatment Center (RTC), offer academic support for teens struggling with various mental health challenges.
Our teen therapy programs utilize evidence-based therapy options and holistic approaches to provide all-rounded care for your teen.
Our academic support services collaborate with Mission Academy School to provide curriculum and credit recovery. If your teen is enrolled in our facility, they will not miss anything from school. Our committed academic staff offers educational guidance to ensure your teen receives personalized education focusing on areas your teen might struggle with.
Benefits of Academic Counseling
You might be wondering what the benefits of academic counseling are. They include the following:
- School Performance Iprovement: Educational counseling can help your teen improve in school. They employ several techniques to motivate your teen, such as rewards and goal setting. They can also address underlying issues to help your teen get back on track.
- Intentional and Targeted Academic Planning: An academic counselor can be beneficial in helping your teen plan their educational journey accordingly. Through targeted learning, your teen’s efforts focus on fundamental areas they struggle with. This can help your teen improve in school since they receive extra help in problematic areas.
- Career Preparation: An academic counselor can help your teen prepare for their desired career through educational guidance. If your teen wants to become a doctor, they will be encouraged to participate in activities that improve their chances of getting into medical school. Once a clear path has been established, your teen is motivated to pursue their dreams.
Finding a Suitable Tutor
Private tutoring services can be the extra push your teen needs to improve in school. The beauty of private tutoring is that it offers personalized instruction and academic coaching. But first, talk to your teen about why you think they need tutoring services to ensure they welcome the idea. Once they accept, you may ask your teen’s teachers about good tutoring services that fit your teen’s needs.
Some tips you can utilize when choosing a tutor include the following:
- Check your tutor’s credentials.
- Set clear goals with the tutor and your teen.
- Evaluate the tutor’s teaching methods through a demonstration.
- Schedule the tutoring services for the times your teen is most likely to learn.
- Observe tutoring to evaluate the tutor’s engagement with your teen.
- Request periodic reports on your teen’s progress.
Considering Behavioral Therapies
Therapeutic interventions can be beneficial for teens suffering from various mental health issues or those getting into trouble in school. If your teen is showing signs of delinquency and behavioral problems, it may be time to consider behavioral therapy.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based therapeutic technique that focuses on helping teens change their thoughts and behaviors. It is suitable for teens with behavioral issues that may be causing a decline in their academic performance. CBT is premised on the idea that thoughts, emotions, and actions are connected, and a change in one influences others. CBT will help your teen learn emotional regulation, problem-solving, behavioral support, and negative behavior reduction. Once your teen masters these skills, their academic performance might improve.
CBT is utilized in all of Key Healthcare’s programs and is used together with academic support to ensure your teen’s academics are not affected negatively. Other teen therapies are used at Key Healthcare, these are incorporated to suit each individual’s needs.
Additional Measures to Tackle Academic Struggles
Your teen may also benefit from additional measures besides the approaches mentioned. These include the following:
Engaging in Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular involvement can benefit teens struggling in school. Sports, volunteering, arts, and clubs will look good on your teen’s resume and encourage them to work harder in school. Many schools have a minimum grade your teen may get before joining extracurriculars. If your teen is passionate about sports, they may need to pull up their socks before they can actively participate in such activities.
Extracurricular activities also help teens attend school more often and maintain stellar grades because they might lose their spot if they fail.
Expending energy and releasing endorphins elevate your teen’s mood and encourage identity exploration. Your teen’s talent will enable them to balance academics and hobbies to have the best of both worlds. All these benefits may help your teen improve in school.
Promoting the Well-Being and Health of Your Teen
Healthy lifestyle choices have an important role to play in academics. Promote your child’s well-being by encouraging proper nutrition, sufficient sleep, and self-care activities. Sleep deprivation can have disastrous consequences on your teen’s academics. If your teen stays up all night watching TV shows or playing video games, they are unlikely to learn anything in school. It is crucial that you help your teen balance academics with wellness to take care of their overall well-being.
Creating a Supportive Study Environment
Maybe your teen is struggling because the learning environment at home is unconducive. Playing loud music, constant distractions, and being asked to do chores discourage your teen from learning. As a parent or caregiver, you should create a distraction-free, safe study space at home. Minimizing distractions and creating healthy homework habits can help your teen improve in school.
Encouraging Time Management and Organization
As your teen gets older, they may have difficulty managing their time because of an increased academic workload. They have to juggle school, work, and time with friends. To help your teen improve in school, encourage them to build better time management strategies. These strategies include academic scheduling, schoolwork organization, and academic planning. These skills involve setting aside time to focus solely on academics. Your teen will plan how they will do their schoolwork by creating a schedule for each subject or class. This will enable them to balance various activities with schoolwork.
Reinforcing Positive Behavior Patterns and Motivation
Children and teens learn better when they are rewarded for their achievements. If you have set an academic goal for your teen, you must reward them for achieving it. This reward-based system reinforces positive behavior patterns among teens and makes them feel motivated.
Legal Considerations and Special Education
According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, children with disabilities are entitled to free public education where special education accommodations are to be made. Teens with disabilities can receive learning goals that they need to achieve. Parents, teachers, school psychologists, and other key players must collaborate to create a conducive school environment for disabled teens.
Case Studies and Success Stories
There are many teenage success stories out there. Real-life examples of academic progress can be seen in Sam. Sam struggled with reading and comprehension during his sophomore year of high school. He knew he had to do something different to achieve his goal of attending a 4-year college. Sam signed up for Reading Enrichment classes and decided to participate in extracurricular activities. This decision helped him make an academic turnaround as he improved in school.
Another success story is that of Cody. Cody struggled to comprehend schoolwork since he needed much time to read at his own pace. He took reading classes, which saw his comprehension skills improve drastically. Cody was also awarded an accommodation for his examinations that gave him extra time to support his slower reading.
Conclusion
Many factors may contribute to your teen’s academic struggles. These include bullying, peer pressure, excessive technology and social media use, learning disabilities, family issues, and mental health challenges. These factors may negatively affect your teen’s academic progress by encouraging delinquency, tardiness, and lack of motivation to learn. As a parent or caregiver, it is your responsibility to help your teen improve in school.
Some strategies you can implement include creating a safe learning environment, procuring tutoring services, collaborating with teachers, and seeking professional help. These strategies can help alleviate your teen’s academic woes. So, if you’re looking for professional help, then contact Key Healthcare today and schedule a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You can motivate your teen to care about their academic performance by setting realistic goals to be achieved. Once your teen achieves the set objective, reward them to reinforce the idea that they will receive a reward if they perform well.
You can create a productive study environment by encouraging privacy. Set aside a private part of the house for your teen to use as they study. Make it as comfortable as possible and reduce the noise around that area.
As teens progress through school, their academic workload increases and makes it easy for them to develop stress and anxiety.
Yes. there are both private and public schools specializing in teens with learning disabilities. You may need to ask your teen’s school which schools are available in your area.
Some signs that your teen has learning disabilities include the following:
- Difficulty reading or writing.
- Forgetfulness and poor memory.
- Clumsiness.
- Disorganization.
- Difficulty staying attentive.
- Trouble following directions.
If you notice these presentations you can ask your child’s school to provide you with a referral for a psychological evaluation to gain a formal investigation and diagnosis. With this diagnosis and understanding, you can implement optimal interventions to support your teen throughout their academic career.
