Unlocking School Success | for Parents with K-12 Kids

26: Why Good Kids Get Bad Grades: The Real Reasons Kids Struggle at School with Dr. Linda Silbert

May 13
30 mins

Episode Description

If you’ve ever stared at a report card thinking, “But…this is a good kid—what is happening?” you’re not alone.


In this episode of Unlocking School Success, I sit down with educational counselor Dr. Linda Silbert (who specializes in struggling readers and runs a tutoring/test prep company) to talk about the newly updated second edition of her book, Why Good Kids Get Bad Grades. Dr. Linda breaks down why grades don’t “just happen,” how many kids are never actually taught how to study, and why the most important job is finding the real cause behind the struggle—without crushing a child’s self-worth along the way.


What you’ll learn:


  • Why focusing on grades alone misses the bigger (and more fixable) picture.
  • The two main drivers behind grades: tests and homework—and why both can go off the rails.
  • What “studying” actually is (and why “just read your notes” often doesn’t work).
  • How the brain’s limits (like only holding a few items at once) impact learning—and how “chunking” helps.
  • Why some school expectations can be developmentally unrealistic (especially for younger kids).
  • Early clues that may point to dyslexia (and why language development matters for reading).
  • Why kids remember negative feedback so powerfully—and what that does to self-esteem.
  • How to shift from being the “school police” to being your child’s ally.
  • Why kids need skills (study skills + time management), not just encouragement.


This episode will help if:


  • Your child is smart and kind—but their grades don’t match what you know they’re capable of.
  • Homework time feels like a nightly conflict, meltdown, or power struggle.
  • You’re worried your child is starting to believe they’re “lazy” or “bad at school.”
  • You suspect a reading issue, but you’re not sure what to look for—or what to ask for.
  • Your child is overwhelmed and overbooked, and late/missing work keeps piling up.
  • You want practical ways to help that don’t involve more nagging, shame, or punishment.


Full Show Notes here: https://www.reframeparenting.com/blog/why-good-kids-get-bad-grades


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