The Options For Making Up a Failed Class
Before discussing the advantage of summer school, consider all of your options for making up a class:
More Time for the Basics
Summer school will give your teen more time to learn the basics of the subject. Middle and high school classes mimic the fast-paced world in which we live. Unfortunately, teens learning math and science may not be able to keep up and end up getting lost. When you consider that each step is a building block for the next concept in the course, it isn’t a mystery why many teens do not pass a class the first time around. The extra time that these teens need is offered during summer school sessions.
Smaller Classes in a Relaxed Environment
The environment of a summer school class offers your teen a different approach. Summer school tends to be more relaxed with smaller classes. It is the optimal learning environment in which all teens could benefit, particularly those who struggle during the regular school year. Teens will often have a different teacher, and their approach to teaching may be unique. Due to this, a teen may do very well during summer classes, even in a subject that he has previously failed. This can be the boost in confidence they need to have a more positive attitude toward school in general.
Avoid Two Core Classes Next Year
Summer school will give your teen a second chance to obtain class credit and avoid doubling up on a core class during the school year. Here is how today’s high school works: each state requires a certain amount of core classes to be taken and passed before a student can graduate. Even if your teen isn’t going to college, they may still have to pass four math classes (including algebra and geometry) to obtain their diploma. This can be demoralizing to a teen that has a hard time in math classes. If they fail one and has to take two next year, it can be too much math at one time. This can lead to more failure and the possibility of the teenager dropping out of school. Summer school prevents this problem.
Focus on Fewer Subjects
During summer school, your teen will be able to focus on just that particular class. Remember that your teen is facing the type of stress that we face in our adult lives: deadlines and the push to perform well. Summer school can help teens who get overloaded by having too many classes to focus on at one time. If the workload during the school year was a problem for your teen, summer school is a perfect option. It gives them time to focus on a tough subject and get the class credit they need.
Raise Their GPA
Summer school will give your teen the chance to raise his grade point average. A failure in any class really hurts a teen’s cumulative average and can cost him the chance of getting into the college or technical school of his choice. While letting an elective class go and not retaking it is an option, summer school grades replace the failing grade already earned. That will raise your teen’s GPA.
How to Talk Your Teen Into Summer School
You can help take away the stigma of summer school by talking to your teen.
Let them know that not passing a math/science/whatever class does not define who they are.Their grades do not make or break how much you love them.Create a positive conversation by bringing up something they do well.Discuss ways to keep a failing grade from happening again (study groups or hiring a tutor at the first sign of trouble in a class).
When it is all said and done, summer school will get your teen back on the right track (and prevent summer behavior problems that stem from boredom). They will have passing grades and you can use the experience to strengthen the parent-child bond. A definite win-win situation!
