HOW DIVORCE EFFECTS CHILDREN'S SCHOOL PERFORMANCE
Effects on School Performance
Divorce usually has a negative impact on a child's education. Children whose parents are divorced tend to have lower academic performance compared to those from non-divorced families. Research has shown that it is two times more likely for a child from a divorced familiy to drop out of high school than a child from an intact family. It also shows that these children may be less likely to attend college due to the effects of their families divorce. Students from divorced families are twice as likely to repeat a grade and five times likelier to be expelled/suspended from school. Families who are intact create a more flexible environment for learning and have a higher motivation for their children to do well in school.
How Teachers Can Help:
- Share advice through newsletters or establish special-interest parent groups
- School-wide groups for children can be effective in supporting the child's adjustment and allow them to express their feelings and experiences dealing with divorce
- Provide students with consistency and structure
- Help students develop an understanding of their parents' divorce
- Communicate with parents on a regular basis to keep them updated on the child's strengths and weaknesses in the classroom
Divorce usually has a negative impact on a child's education. Children whose parents are divorced tend to have lower academic performance compared to those from non-divorced families. Research has shown that it is two times more likely for a child from a divorced familiy to drop out of high school than a child from an intact family. It also shows that these children may be less likely to attend college due to the effects of their families divorce. Students from divorced families are twice as likely to repeat a grade and five times likelier to be expelled/suspended from school. Families who are intact create a more flexible environment for learning and have a higher motivation for their children to do well in school.
How Teachers Can Help:
- Share advice through newsletters or establish special-interest parent groups
- School-wide groups for children can be effective in supporting the child's adjustment and allow them to express their feelings and experiences dealing with divorce
- Provide students with consistency and structure
- Help students develop an understanding of their parents' divorce
- Communicate with parents on a regular basis to keep them updated on the child's strengths and weaknesses in the classroom