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Show Could your child be a dropout? By DAVE RODRIGUEZ Executive Director Sylvan Learning Center When a child joins the ranks of . the more than 700,000 students annually an-nually who drop out of America's schools, it frequently comes as a surprise to his or her parents. But the adolescent who quits school rather than completing that last year or so of high school probably prob-ably has raised a raft of danger signals over his years in school-beginning school-beginning as early as first or second grade. What are the danger signals? And how do you recognize them in your child? You should carefully monitor moni-tor your child's progress and behavior by reading report cards, and listening to and carefully communicating com-municating with teachers. These classic warning signals may be indicators of long-term academic aca-demic failure: The "failure syndrome, a pattern pat-tern of dropping grades following a normal routine of good grades. Discipline problems, particularly particular-ly relating to homework. Negative comments about , teachers. Laying blame on others. Reluctance to discuss school. Lack of interest in any aspect of school from academics to sports an indicator of a child who mentally has left school. Disruptive behavior or physical violence an attempt to attract attention atten-tion or force expulsion from school by administrators. Disinterest, characterized by teacher comments such as "not working up to potential"; or "does not pay close attention in class.' What should you do if your child exhibits a continuing partem of these symptoms? Seek help quickly from expertsteachers, ex-pertsteachers, religious or secular counselors or medical authorities. A counselor can intermediate between parent and child, and can analyze accurately the extent of the problem. prob-lem. Together with your child, review his report card calmly and without judgmental comment. Praise accomplishments and positive performance that are reflected on the card. Don't focus solely on grades. Ask about your child's feelings and opinions. Ask how he thinks he could do better, how you could help him improve. im-prove. Encourage him to establish realistic, yet challenging goals to improve study habits and performance perfor-mance in class. Discuss the objectives objec-tives with them, but dont formulate goals for children. Develop a routine together to improve study habits. Provide guidance and lay down the ground rules, but remember that studying is his responsibility. Review his progress weekly by discussingnot grilling about studies and activities. Don't wait to be surprised at report card time. At the teacher's meeting, ask specific questions about your child's performance and the educator's recommendations for change. Listen actively to your child-going child-going beneath the words to the meanings and emotions, or what your child is not saying. Get help to overcome skills gaps. The dropout syndrome begins with learning gaps which the child cannot overcome. Faced with the increased difficulty of learning gaps, he falls further and further behind and may even give up in frustration and anger. For free information on how to help your child develop improved study habits, read The Guide to Good Studying. Call Dave or Tracy at 292-6284, or come by at 74 E. 500 S. in Bountiful. h |