Strategies for Bringing Up Grades

  • Situation

    I have a bright student with Asperger’s who is falling behind in his grades. When I talk to him about it, he doesn’t seem to understand what he has to do to pull up his grade. He doesn’t seem to care much about the work that is assigned.

  • Summary

    Give your student a concrete and specific plan that outlines how he or she can bring up grades. Use a visual prompt as an antecedent warning and make a contract with your student. Use the student’s special interests as a motivator.

  • Definition

    This is a strategy used by teachers of students on an academic track who are failing or falling behind. It gives the student an antecedent visual prompt and then offers concrete and motivating ways to help the student get back on track.

  • Quick Facts

    • Child's Age: 11-13, 14-17
    • Planning Effort: Low
    • Difficulty Level: Easy

  • Pre-requisites

    None

  • Process

    1. An Advance Warning System Strategy is used by the teacher: A few weeks before progress reports are sent home, the student is given a facsimile report card.

    2. If the student would like to improve the grade in the weeks remaining, alternatives or ways to bring the grade up to the desired level are arrived at by teacher and the student. They must be concrete and specific with timelines and frequent progress checks by teacher and parents.

    3. List the specifics in the form of a contract and have the student sign it.

    4. Extra Credit Opportunities could also be included. These could be opportunities that draw on the student’s strengths or particular area of interest allowing them to turn in bonus work with those topics as a focus. This might also be used as a substitution for other work.

  • Documents and Related Resources

    Bringing Up Grades sample chart (Word document)

     

     

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