Introduction

Your teen swears they tried on that English assignment…and still got a D. You're confused, they're frustrated, and the grades keep getting worse.

At first, it seemed like procrastination. Then maybe laziness. But what if the real reason your teen is failing ELA isn’t about effort at all?

Let’s break down what’s actually going on and what parents can do that really helps. Because you're probably wondering: why is ELA so hard for students right now?

1. They’re Missing Core Skills

Many teens enter middle and high school with gaps in reading comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking. They may know how to write a paragraph but not how to form a strong argument or cite evidence properly.

If these skills were never solid, ELA becomes a nightmare of confusion and self-doubt.

2. They Don’t Understand the Prompt So They Write the Wrong Essay

It’s not that your teen is off-topic on purpose. They often just don’t understand the prompt in the first place.

So they answer the question they think is being asked, or worse, one they feel more confident answering.

The result? A paper that misses the mark, even if it’s well-written.

3. Teacher Feedback Reads Like a Foreign Language

You see all the comments in red, but your teen doesn’t know what to do with them. They don’t understand the feedback, so they can’t improve.

This unfortunately creates a loop of making the same mistakes over and over again.

4. Procrastination Is a Symptom, Not the Cause

Yes, your teen might be putting things off.

But ask yourself: Why?

When students feel lost, confused, or like nothing they do will work, they check out. Motivation drops when failure feels inevitable.

5. Parents Step In But Accidentally Create Dependence

Out of love and frustration, parents often sit down to "help", but that turns into telling kids what to write. It’s understandable, but it doesn’t teach independence.

The student might turn in a better paper, but they’re not learning how to write one on their own.

What Should You Do Instead?

Start by getting curious, not critical.

Look at the teacher’s feedback. Read the prompt together and ask questions like, “What’s this really asking?”

If reading comprehension is an issue, support them by reading alongside them to check their understanding.

If time management is the struggle, dig into what’s really causing the delay.

And yes, sometimes the best move is bringing in a tutor, someone neutral who can identify and fill the gaps without turning homework into a source of conflict.

So, Why Is ELA So Hard?

Because it demands so many skills at once (reading, writing, critical thinking, time management), and teens often haven’t learned how to juggle them all.

Low grades are a signal that your teen is struggling, not necessarily slacking.

And while there's nothing wrong with wanting those grades to rise, the real goal is helping your teen succeed in ELA for the long run, not just this quarter.

So the next time you wonder, “Why is ELA so hard?”, remember: it’s hard because your teen needs help. And getting that help will give both of you a renewed sense of hope.