How is this fair to my child?

Question

I recently had the local school district test my child for early kindergarten placement. He attended preschool last year and did very well academically as well as socially. Without any preparation, he scored a 99% on the placement test. However, was told that because his birthday is later in the year, and not earlier in the year, he would not be recommended for early placement in Kindergarten. He will go to kindergarten next year regardless, but will not be challenged. (He may not be challenged this year) What or who can I talk to about getting my child what he needs?

Answer 1

You can try going to the school superintendent but policy is policy.   I'm just wondering who guaranteed you that life would be fair.

Answer 2

Well, unfortunately our public school systems are flawed.  Have you ever thought about sending him to a private school.  They are usually advanced academically anyway.  Even if he started out in kindergarten, they would probably give him extra challenging work.

Answer 3

Rules are rules.  Look into private school.

Answer 4

Sadly state law is law.

My son will be 7 in mid. Sept. due to his late birthday he falls in the same situation as your son. My husband also has a late birthday in Sept. and it was always he same for him too.

We homeschool so this has never been an issue. We did see something like this during Vacation Bible School at my inlaws church but thankfully my inlaws are high in the church & my mother in law a teacher she was able to put my son in a class with kids his age. He was offended about MAYBE being in the "baby" class as he called it.

Also by law in our state we are suppose to start teaching our kids when they would enter 1st grade. Since my son has a late birthday he'd JUST NOW be entering the first grade. He'll be 7 in a Sept.

Since we homeschool he'd been "doing school" since he was 5. This will be the first year though we have to officially put him in our homeschool forms.

Answer 5

That's what's flawed with our system - it's by age and not level. Private School or Monastery School might be the right choice for you're child - look into them and see what you think, because most Private Schools will place them by level, especially at that age. And Monastery Schools provide your child with a lot of choices. Try going into those options, because it sounds like public schools will not challenge your child at all.

Answer 6

When is his birthday?

If you're talking about a recommendation, you can fight it.  If you're talking about a birthday that falls after the legal state cutoff date, you're out of luck with a public school.  You can try at a private school.

It is legal to homeschool a child through kindergarten, but if you commit to doing it you should commit throughout second grade so that the school system won't ask him to repeat the grade.

Answer 7

depends on what kind of school it is. if it is a independent or private school, you wouldnt be able to do anything. they really strict about the age and biological class. if you get a public school, there shoud be arrangements you could do by talking to the principle or director.

you child is lucky to even be in kindergarten though. my sister had to repeat preschool because of the same issue. she didnt even get to be in the grade level.

Answer 8

With a test score like that, you will have "ammunition" to demand enrichment and challenge for him when he does go to kindergarten. He can have reading with a first grade class. He and other similarly able children can be in an advanced reading class together. I know it seems like I am harping on reading but that is the major task of kindergarten and first grade.

Until then, take him to museums, the library and other places he can be challenged and stimulated and let him be a kid. Once he's in school they will challenge him up to his abilities. If you have a little money, you might get him officially tested with the Weschler test by a certified psychologist and have a functional analysis so you don't have to go through a semester or the whole year with the runaround, "We need to know and assess him to meet his needs."

So, in the Spring when they are scheduling kindergarten roundups, visit the principal armed with the test scores and information and talk about placement in an enrichment class and/or first grade reading. That will be a start toward challenging your son.

Best of luck to both of you.

Answer 9

wow. that's so not fair I think you should complain to them if he passed 99% well.. if they won't let him just be glad that he will be the smartest one in class in Kindergarten. Good Luck

Answer 10

i really don't think that thats fair at all. maybe you should talk to the head of the school or what ever-

                           Good

                                 Luck! =)