Parental guidance: Bad report cards

My child's elementary school report card isn't as good as I was expecting. How should I handle this?

The first report card can set the tone for the rest of the school year, so if it was a big surprise, act immediately, says Anne Marie Stahurski, operations manager for Huntington Learning Center in Suffolk County. "The teacher would be the best resource for finding out what is going on in the classroom and can give suggestions or strategies to the parent to help improve before the next report card," she says.

Ask these questions at a meeting with the teacher:

What is contributing to my child's low grades?

Can I see samples of my child's work?

What are the best ways for me to help at home?

How much time should be spent nightly on homework, and how much should I help?

How can I encourage my child to participate more in class?

Are there any signs that my child has any learning issues?

Are there behavior issues? For instance, if my child needs to follow directions better, can you give me instances of when he didn't, so I can understand?

What should be my next steps, and what will be yours?

Make a plan with the teacher, and choose the best way to communicate -- a note in the backpack, email or phone. "Clear communication between the parent and the teacher will contribute to the student's success," Stahurski says.

Email your Parental Guidance questions to beth.whitehouse@newsday.com and follow her on Twitter @bethwhitehouse1.