Underachievement
Underachievement means there is a discrepancy between a child’s potential and his/her actual performance. Students may underachieve due to issues such as a lack of motivation, boredom, a need to fit in with others, stress, or learning differences. Underachievement needs to be addressed right away, so the student can live up to his/her potential.
What Can Parents Do?
Determine the cause of underachievement
- rule out physical causes for underachievement such as vision or hearing problems, learning disabilities, nutritional/weight issues, or drug/alcohol abuse
- look for social and emotional causes — is your child purposefully underachieving in order to fit in?
- are stereotypes affecting your child’s performance?
- are there stresses in your child’s personal life which could be contributing to underachievement? (loss of a family member, divorce, feeling of being over scheduled, sibling rivalry)
- what about the school environment might be contributing to the child’s underachievement?
Keep the lines of communication open
- let your child’s teacher know if there are physical issues which could be contributing to underachievement
- share with your child’s teacher stresses in your family which could be bothering the student
- speak honestly about how your child views the school environment
- use technology to address underachievement
Additional Resources
Reis, S. M. & McCoach, D. B., Underachievement and gifted students, in Neihart, M., Reis, S.M., Robinson, N. M., & Moon, S. M (Editors) (2002) . The Social and Emotional
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