Scripps Howard News Service

Last week, my son's school held parent-teacher conferences, and that's when I received an unpleasant surprise: My son is making less than stellar grades. When I asked the teacher what was wrong, she told me that my son had several zeros for not turning in his homework. He does his homework every night, and even asks for my help when he doesn't understand a concept. I know he completes his work, but for some reason he is not turning all of it in. How do I solve this problem? It was suggested I might want to have him tested for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

ASSESSMENT

Modern educators often look for a medical explanation like ADHD, but I wouldn't be so quick to consider testing.

A problem is a composite of smaller situations called issues. An issue is something that is small and doable, and your son has successfully found solutions for many issues: He knows what his homework is, brings home the right materials, asks questions when he does not understand, and realizes you are present to help him.

This indicates that your son pays attention at school, works diligently and excels at time management. In this context, we see that your son does many things well.

The issue you are encountering is not that unusual. Many children conscientiously do their homework, but once those assignments are completed, they mentally check off the task, not realizing their work must be taken to fruition. This same situation often occurs in the "adult" world. Have you ever gone to the dry cleaners, only to realize that you left your laundry at home? Or have you cooked a dinner, only to remember at the end of the meal that the rolls were left in the oven?

WHAT TO DO

Teach your child the strategy of Close the Circle. This method explains that homework begins and ends with the teacher. If the finished assignment doesn't make it back to the teacher, then the teacher won't know it was completed and will act as if nothing were done.

Have your son place completed assignments into a designated homework folder, and each night, have him place the folder in his backpack. Before he leaves for school in the morning, ask to see and check inside his homework folder. Inside this folder, keep a homework sheet with a grid for each subject. Have your son check off the subject when he places the homework in the folder, and a full circle when the entire job has been done. Include a space for him to record his grades when he gets his homework back.

Check the folder every night to make sure homework was handed in. Then celebrate. You will be teaching him a lesson many adults and executives still do not have down pat.

By teaching your child to Close the Circle, you are instilling habits that will not only ensure success at school but also provide your child with the foundation to realize his goals and dreams later in life.

You have been given an incredible opportunity to solve an issue. Don't turn it into a problem or pathology. Your child is not sick. He is still learning how to be a responsible adult. Congratulations on all the good things he has learned so far.

— Write to Dr. Yvonne Fournier, Fournier Learning Strategies Inc., 5900 Poplar, Memphis, Tenn. 38119. E-mail YF7thsense@aol.com.