You've tried everything. You've set up a homework routine. You've talked to teachers. You've tried rewards and consequences. You've helped with organization. You've been patient and supportive. And your child is still struggling. Here's what's probably happening: you're addressing the wrong problem. Not because you're doing anything wrong, but because it's really hard to see what's actually getting in the way. When a child struggles academically, we tend to jump straight to s

From Understanding to Action You've learned to recognize executive function and SEL skill gaps. You've observed patterns in your students. You understand that academic struggles often stem from these foundational skills, not content knowledge. Now what? Because noticing the problem is only half the battle. The real question is: what do you actually do when a student is struggling? That's what we're tackling today. Practical, targeted strategies that address the most common ac

Let's talk about something that's probably keeping you up at night. Your child is smart. You know this. Their teachers know this. But somehow, school is still a struggle. They forget their homework. They lose track of assignments. They study for the test but freeze when it's time to take it. They can explain a concept perfectly at home but can't show what they know on paper. And everyone keeps telling you the same thing: "They just need to apply themselves more." "They need t

Susan Meyer Markle was a brilliant educator whose work on instructional design, including component/composite relations, is foundational...