One way I have worked to enhance academic performance, is to be more deliberate when I reteach material. In order to insure student improvement, students reflect on their own performance allowing them to focus on their own academic strengths and weaknesses. When grading assessments, or reviewing work, I look for common mistakes in order to differentiate instruction as we move forward. By tracking student performance, students and I both have a clear understating of our improvement. By tracking student data, I don't have to guess or assume that students are understanding material. When students can see their growth, and by being very explicit about why we are working on a certain skill, or reviewing certain material, it eliminate the guess work for students as well.
In a recent letter, sent home with parents at parent teacher conferences, I provided instructions for parents to navigate our class blog and interact with students. Parents are encouraged to read their child's work and leave a comment for them.