I Fear That My Daughter Is Going to Drop out of High School – What Can I Do?
New Year's Resolution: My Family Will Get More Sleep!
January 9, 2014
Should I Be Pushing My Child toward College?
January 15, 2014
Students who have been working hard for their entire academic career without seeing a payoff in the form of good grades do “burn out.” Consider a change.
I am not talking about changing high schools. Look at your child’s program of studies. Does she need to switch out of a class? Should she change to the next level of English or Math class? Something needs to be different for this student. Make an appointment with the guidance counselor to discuss how the burden can be reduced. Besides changing a class, another option would be Great Oaks, the career and technical high school in Cincinnati. Students graduate from their local high school while taking some classes at one of the Oaks’ campuses. (greatoaks.com or 513 771-8840). Students can earn college credit or advance standing in college. The best part is that there is no cost for high school students. The experience of success can make a tremendous difference for the struggling high school student.
Is your child interested in attempting work at the college level? High school students can enroll in courses at certain institutions. For example, Gateway Community and Technical College in Northern Kentucky has a program called The Gateway Regional Academy that is specifically for high school students (gateway.kctcs.edu, or 859 815-9648). Students in the 11th and 12th grades in Ohio or Kentucky can apply to take certain courses for college credit. There are other requirements for admission, such as taking a placement test and submitting ACT scores. Through this program, high school students can also take advantage of career counseling.
High school students can also attend classes at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. Again, there are requirements that the student must meet, including a placement test. Staff in the admissions office can explore this option with you and your student (cincinnatistate.edu or 513 569-1830). All of the typical services available to students can be accessed, including career counseling.
Consider the possibility that your student may be depressed. If she has been struggling with poor grades, feeling sad and hopeless would not be a surprise. Speak with your student’s physician. Would a few sessions of professional counseling be of benefit? Encourage your student to exercise. Take her along to walk the dog or walk through the mall. Exercise improves mood and aids the sense of well-being. If you determine that depression is an issue, you will still need to do something to ease the burden at school.
Blogger Mary Ann Mulcahey, PhD, shares her expertise in assessment and diagnosis of learning disabilities and ADHD, and the social/emotional adjustment to those issues. If you have questions, please contact Mary Ann at .
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