For over 20 years, this has been a key question asked by parents preparing their students for academic success. While each student requires a personalized plan, we have some general advice on a strong start to the new school year.

To start off strong, keep 3 things in mind:

• Avoid surprises. Scan the school calendar for critical testing events. Students must be focused and prepared.
• Make a strong first impression. Strong starts lead to successful ends.
• Get feedback. Seek teacher feedback early and often; learn from it; adjust; succeed.

Academic Approach works with families to help them meet these goals and many more by creating a customized learning plan for your student and coaching them to achieve great outcomes both on standardized tests and in the classroom.

Plan for High Stakes Tests

Sometimes high stakes tests or grading periods sneak up on us. They’re in public calendars but are often easy to miss:

• Seniors still have 2 official test dates for ACT & SAT retesting before early decision deadlines for college applications. But registration deadlines are 4-5 weeks prior to the official test.
• The 11th grade October PSAT is the one chance to qualify students as Commended Scholars or National Merit Semifinalists. A feather in the cap, if earned.
• 7th or 8th grade MAP test performance can determine the math level a student will track on into high school.
• Critical time periods at the end of the semester often provide windows for students to submit test corrections or extra credit assignments.

Carefully review school calendars, ask questions, and help your students understand what’s coming next. Proper preparation before high stakes tests makes a significant difference in performance.

First Impressions

25 years ago, while teaching in the Core Curriculum at Columbia University in New York City, I learned a lasting lesson about successful students: the ones who start strong finish well.

I taught a mandatory freshman writing course, requiring 19 essays in one term. It was a lot to manage, and the students who impressed me most were those who from the outset came regularly to my office hours, sought feedback, applied that feedback, and handed in improved essays. They showed they cared; they applied my guidance; and they established a rapport with me, their teacher.

It was a simple formula, but I’ve seen how challenging it can be for students to apply it. Many students are still developing self-advocacy skills and feel awkward engaging teachers. However, students can be coached to take this approach:

Attend the first office hours a teacher offers. Ask two simple questions:

• What makes a student most successful in your class?
• How should I prepare for the important tests and assignments this term?

Teachers want students to succeed. When they are engaged as allies, they offer help, clarity, and guidance.

Feedback Leads to Improvement

Feedback is hard. We know that as adults; it’s even harder for our children. However, effective feedback always leads to improvement. Students need to learn to not only accept feedback but also seek it out. Parents too.

If progress is off track, you want to learn that as quickly as possible. Students should take their first quiz or test results seriously, read teacher’s notes and feedback, and respond by making changes.

Parents should look for these signs: the student’s impression of teachers; the first grades or quizzes back; and, most certainly, the first parent-teacher conference to understand how the student is progressing.

Strong Starts & Successful Finishes

At Academic Approach, we recognize that strong starts lead to successful finishes. Therefore, we provide complimentary consultations to help families think through priorities, assess learning needs, and tailor a tutoring plan and timeline for each student’s ultimate success.

Contact us now. We will help you navigate the road ahead, plan for success, and guide your student through a program of learning that drives improved test scores, academic outcomes, and college readiness.

For more information, visit academicapproach.com/hinsdaleliving or call 630-454-9873.