The first round of student progress reports are on the way, and that is good news. Progress reports give families an early snapshot of how students are doing before grades are final. They help you celebrate what is going well, spot issues early, and make a simple plan for the next few weeks. Many campuses have already hosted or will soon host open houses. If you attend, you will meet your child’s teachers, hear about classroom routines, and learn about the opportunities and supports available this semester. Those relationships matter. A quick introduction now can make later conversations easier and more productive.
When the progress report arrives, review it together with your child(ren). Look at the overall grades, and then talk with your student. Three questions can guide the conversation. What are you proud of so far? What has been challenging? What is one next step you can take in the next few weeks? Keep it short and specific. For example, “I will attend tutorials on Tuesday” or “I will start the unit review tonight for 20 minutes.”
Parent Gradebook is the best tool for staying current after that first check-in. Parents/guardians can log in each week to review grades and attendance. A weekly routine helps you spot patterns, like a low quiz category or repeated missing work, before they turn into bigger problems. If you need help accessing Parent Gradebook, visit https://www.visd.net/page/parent-gradebook. While you are in the portal, take a look at attendance. Showing up matters for learning and for confidence. Even a few absences can mean missed instruction and make it harder to keep up. If your child is out, work with teachers on a simple plan to make up what was missed.
If your student’s performance is not where you expect it to be, reach out to teachers and request a time to talk. Teachers want to partner with you. In your message, share what you are seeing at home and ask a few focused questions. What skills or standards are not yet secure? What assignments or assessments can my student revisit? What resources would you suggest for extra practice? What is the best way for my student to get help this week? A short, solution-oriented conversation can lead to clear next steps and renewed momentum.
Remember that every campus offers student support. These may include scheduled tutorial times or after-school help sessions. Ask teachers which options fit your child’s needs and schedule. At home, set up a simple study routine. A quiet place, a consistent time each day, and a written to-do list can reduce stress and improve follow-through. Encourage your student to start with the most challenging task first, then move to quicker wins.
Open house season is also a chance to learn more about your child’s campus and meet teachers. Students who feel known and involved are more likely to show up, participate, and persevere when work gets tough. If your child is not yet involved, ask about options that match their interests.
Finally, keep communication friendly, brief, and regular. A quick email or Remind text to say “Thank you for the update.” or “We tried the study guide you shared and it helped.” builds goodwill.
Progress reports are not the finish line. They are a checkpoint. Take a look, talk it over, and choose two or three actions that will help your student grow. If you need help, start with your child’s teachers or your campus front office. We are here to support you and your student, and we are proud to partner with families to make this a strong semester for every learner.
Ashley Alvarez is the executive director of communications for VISD