51+ Quick Report Card Comments for Failing Students

Drafting report card comments for failing students challenges you as an educator.

You’ve got to be careful with your words but in the end, you need to say exactly what needs to be said.

This list of comments provides a framework from which to begin writing comments for students who are performing significantly below grade level.

Here are some tips to keep in mind as you draft your report card comments for students who are at risk of failing…

Tips for Writing Report Card Comments for Failing Students

1. Start On a Positive Note. When students are performing below grade level, it’s important to always begin your notes with positive vibes.

Every child exhibits strength in something, even if it isn’t academic. Find that something, and leverage it when writing your notes. Parents will appreciate you for it.

2. End With Next Steps. Give 1 or 2 actionable steps that parents can take to help their child improve in said subject area.

Also mention what you are specifically doing during class time to support the child. It takes a team to help the child meet grade-level expectations.

3. Proofread. Before distributing report card comments for failing students, review them carefully.

Have a trusted colleague revise and edit them. While small errors creep up every now and then, presenting a polished note to parents underlines the seriousness of the matter and shows that you care about your work.

Check off these 3 key elements, and your report card comments for failing students will be all set and ready to go!

Report Card Comments for Failing Students

• _______failed to submit her portion of the group project, leading to a decrease in her grade.

• _______is progressing below grade level in (insert subject area).

• _______struggles to keep up with homework assignments.

• _______lack of knowledge about how to study strategically causes him to perform poorly on assignments.

• _______regularly does not complete his homework.

• _______has consistently scored poorly on math assessments (or any subject area).

• Since last semester, ______has not been meeting the academic expectations of this grade level.

• _______refuses to complete work assignments.

• _______frequently produces poor work.

• _______seldomly refers to the provided rubrics when self-evaluating graded assignments and projects.

• _______constantly exhibits disruptive behavior in class which impacts his learning.

• According to my records, _______has a significant number of incomplete and/or missed assignments.

• _______lacks self-discipline and self-motivation.

• Low attendance has led to below-average grades this quarter.

• ________is reluctant to take the initiative in starting assignments; he must be repeatedly redirected.

• _______struggles to read grade-appropriate sight words.

• Though _______puts forth much effort, she needs repeated instruction before grasping basic concepts.

• _______lack of a strong vocabulary foundation affects her low reading comprehension.

• Because of frequent absences, _______misses important tests and quizzes. However, he does not take the opportunity to retake assessments. His grades suffer because of this.

• _______often has difficulties grasping the basic concepts of (insert subject area).

• _______does not work well without constant supervision.

• _______makes the effort but still finds the subject matter difficult.

• Even with accommodations, _______struggles to meet grade-level expectations.

• _______seldom works well independently and relies on peers to complete assignments.

• Although ________is performing below grade level in (insert subject area), she is a gifted athlete/musician/artist.

• _______does not maximize her time in class in order to complete assignments.

• Even after repeated feedback, _______work is frequently messy and her handwriting is illegible. This makes her work difficult to grade.

• _______only puts minimum effort into completing his work.

• Lack of organization causes _______to waste precious time needed for completing learning tasks.

• ________is reluctant to take the initiative in starting assignments; he must be repeatedly redirected.

• Though _________has difficulties grasping (insert any learning objective), she is kind and a hard worker.

• _______shows little interest in school.

• _______daily effort fluctuates. This inconsistency shows in her work performance.
• _______has a hard time paying attention for even short periods of time.

• _______rarely reviews assignments before submitting causing missed points due to careless mistakes.

• According to the Fountas & Pinnell reading assessment, ________is reading at a Frustrational Level.

• _______always rushes through her work causing careless errors.

Positive Short Remarks for Weak Students

• There’s no doubt that _______possesses the capability to do well.

• Though _________has difficulties grasping (insert learning objective), she is kind and a hard worker.

• _______has benefited from sitting closer to the board.

• Reciting daily affirmations for kids has helped ______ stay motivated.

• _______has benefited from utilizing a time management system.

• Reading stamina has improved.

• _______responds much better to instructions the first time they are given.

• Implementing a few study skills has helped her master the lesson material better.

• _______reviews assignments thoroughly before submission.

• _______works independently without distracting others.

• _______has shown much improvement in her work habits.

• _______responds well to encouragement.

• _______has completed all missing assignments.

• After adjusting _______accommodations, he has been much more successful with meeting learning objectives.

• _______consistently uses anchor charts to aid understanding of concepts.

• A more positive attitude has changed ________mindset when it comes to his work.

• Implementing feedback has positively impacted _______work performance.

• _______ is attending after-school tutorials in order to catch up on missed work.

• _______asks for clarification when comprehension breaks down.

Final Thoughts: Report Card Comments for Failing Students

Now you have a quality collection of report card comments for failing students to use that save time and frustration.

Also, you have next-step comments that guide parents and students toward what needs improvement.