Something is not working at school, but what do you do next?

When Something Isn't Working at School: What to Say and Do Next helps parents sort through what they are seeing, decide what kind of next step fits, and find the words to start the conversation.

Instead of jumping straight from a concern to a label, this printable parent guide helps you write down what is happening, consider what else may be part of the picture, and decide whether your next step is a conversation, a request for support, or a more formal look.

The guide includes ready-to-use message templates for contacting teachers, asking what supports are already in place, responding to a behavior email, requesting a team meeting, following up when nothing has changed, and starting a written request for an evaluation.

It also helps you document what was agreed after a school meeting so everyone leaves with the same understanding of what happens next.

⭐ WHAT THIS GUIDE HELPS YOU DO

✔ Put a school concern into clear, factual language ✔ Separate observations from labels ✔ Consider learning, emotions, relationships, environment, expectations, and support needs ✔ Decide which next step fits the situation ✔ Ask teachers for specific examples ✔ Ask what school supports are already being used ✔ Prepare for parent-teacher or student-support meetings ✔ Respond when you hear phrases like “let's wait and see” ✔ Know when you may want to ask about a formal evaluation ✔ Document agreements, dates, responsibilities, and follow-up ✔ Create a one-page plan you can bring back to later

The guide also acknowledges that expectations at home and school may differ and that adults can interpret the same child through different lenses.

📄 WHAT'S INCLUDED

15-page printable PDF guide, including:

📝 Where Am I? A starting checklist covering schoolwork, feelings, behavior, routines, friendships, belonging, and what has already happened.

🔎 Say What You See A worksheet for replacing broad labels with specific observations and examples.

🌍 What Else Could Be Part of the Picture? Prompts covering learning, feelings, relationships, belonging, the school setting, expectations, and possible support needs.

➡️ Choose Your Next Step A three-level guide for deciding whether to:

• Talk • Ask for supports • Ask for a formal look

💬 Ready-to-Use Parent Messages Templates for starting conversations, asking for examples, requesting support information, replying to school behavior emails, requesting meetings, and following up.

📋 Formal Evaluation Request Template A U.S.-based starting template parents can adapt when asking a school about an evaluation.

✍🏿 After the Conversation A meeting follow-up page for recording what was agreed, who is responsible, and when the next check-in will happen.

📌 My One-Page Plan A final page that brings the concern, chosen next step, message, follow-up date, child strength, and additional support into one place.

🎯 USE THIS WHEN

This guide may be useful when:

• Your child is suddenly struggling with schoolwork • A teacher contacts you about behavior • Something has changed at school and you are not sure why • Home and school are seeing very different things • You have already spoken with the school and the concern continues • You want to ask what supports are already being tried • You are preparing for a school meeting • You are wondering whether it is time to ask about an evaluation or additional support

💛 MADE FOR PARENTS WHO NEED A NEXT STEP

You do not have to know exactly why something is happening before you ask better questions.

This guide gives you a place to start, language you can use, and a way to keep track of what happens next.

It is designed to support preparation and communication. It does not diagnose, evaluate, determine eligibility for school services, or replace advice from a qualified professional or attorney.

📥 DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

This is a digital PDF product.

No physical item will be shipped.

You can print the pages you need or use the guide as a reference while preparing emails, conversations, and school meetings.

🧰 MATERIALS

Digital PDF Printable worksheets Parent-school communication scripts Meeting planning pages School support reflection prompts One-page action plan

📜 TERMS OF USE

For personal use by the original purchaser.

You may print copies for your own household and personal school-planning use.

You may not resell, redistribute, share, copy, upload, or reproduce this resource for commercial use.