My 1st grader has problems with school...?

Question

He is having problems with keeping up with the work... as I mean they are going to fast for him. (1st grader)

he 1st grade Teacher said that she might want to hold him back.I said "NO" OK... now... he has been tested with the Teachers assessment team. At His other school when he was in " K" and yes found that he had average and below average points . Not to say that he is doing fine.. but that we have to just work with him and keep A eye on him and maybe test again later.And that teacher would take time for "HIM" and work with him and IT ALL! she was very nice and said that he was "worth helping" because he does deserve it.

well we moved and he went to the 1st grade and got another teacher. This teacher says that" we "need to work him. (that we already do anyways) But that She does not have the time to work with him, and that she might consider holding him back. Well I disagree,I was held back- and well I believe he Just needs A different class for children that learn at A slower pace.

Answer 1

Go to the school counselor and demand that a student or child study be started on your child. Tell them that you want them to make an academic improvement plan for him. Don't take no for an answer. They  must do this for children who are struggling. Ask him or her to explain the process for having a child tested for special education.

Usually the school is required to run two Academic Improvement Plans in a row and if they don't work, then he should be referred to the school psychologist for testing to see if there is a learning disability. Given that you have a learning disability, this would be the best way to go.

The problem with holding him back is that if he does have a learning disability, having him repeat a grade may not help and then you have the self esteem problems that arise, for no reason. Ask them to test him before holding him back.

Also, if the teacher won't give him extra help, consider asking the principal for a teacher change and explain why you want it.

Answer 2

Please please please ask that your child be evaluated for more than just IQ.  Odds are that he has inherited your disability (LD is genetic).  It is NOT right just to "keep an eye" because kids with LD need special help right from the start.

Talk to your principal about what it would take.  If you don't get satisfaction, call your school system's Special Ed department.  Some schools say that you must be failing to get help but that's just baloney.   Your son needs assistance from a Resource instructor at the very least.  

If your son is LD holding him back will help but will not address the issues.   Dislexia and related disorders need remediation above and beyond a regular classroom.  He may test out at normal to low normal IQ but if he is LD, he will not test at his capabilities.  

If your school system will not test him, start calling your insurance company to see if they will pay.  Go to a Developmental Pediatrician for assistance and advice.

Answer 3

It will be a lot better for your son in the long-run if he repeats 1st grade. Some kids just need more time to catch up.

Chances are if you don't hold him back now, you'll have to later, and that will be much more difficult for him, not just academically, but socially and emotionally.

In 1st grade, kids don't know when a kid gets held back, but as they get older they will.

There is no such thing as a class for kids thta learn at a slower pace. If they are too slow to follow along with the average student, then repeating a grade is the solution.

If you had the same experience, then why are you so against it?

Think about your child's future. Do what's right for him. No one will think less of you or your son if you hold him back. Don't let pride get in the way of making the right decision.

Your son will thank you later.

Answer 4

I am a teacher and I believe that he should NOT be held back. I would try to get him involved with something like Sylvan. Also, sometimes teachers say that to motivate you.  Fight this tooth and nail, and he may not be held back.

Answer 5

Mine are both finished high school now, and one of my regrets is that we weren't firmer with the kind of teachers you are dealing with.  

One actually told us at a parent-teacher interview 3 months into the school year "I give them several tasks to do on their own first thing each morning for 45 minutes, and I don't think your son is doing them".  Upon further questioning she said "well I don't know what he is doing, I have 28 students, I don't have time to find out what every single student does in class".

Holding a kid back hurts psychologically of course, and in my opinion doesn't do much good academically if the same teacher ignores the same student two years in a row.

If you can find a different class that will allow your child to learn at his own pace, that is great.  But if you can't, it may take more meetings with teacher and principal to convince them that your son deserves more individual attention from the teacher in class (combined of course with what you do with him at home).  Good luck!

Answer 6

What's UP with all the CAPITALIZATION?  Being held back isn't ALWAYS a horrible thing, but since she doesn't seem to want to give THE time and effort in for HER student, maybe talk to the schools PRINCIPLE to solve it and find out OTHER alternatives.

Answer 7

if you

dont want your child to be held back, then dont give the permission for them to do so. your son should qualify for r.s.p. help. this is a pull out program that will give him help at a slower pace in reading and math. you can also ask the principal if there are any local high school students that tutor. they will go to your home and help your child.

Answer 8

Opinion: The main reason children are held back is undiagnosed learning disability.

   You got a lot of work to do. Fill the house with Good kid books, fiction and non fiction. Read a stack of stories every night at bedtime and go to interdys.org and start studying.

  Be nice to the kid. It ain't his fault. He would love to be a gifted reader!

Answer 9

It is admirable that you are willing to help your child and come to his defense especially when you think he is being wronged.  You may want to consider a tutor. It is really the wrong time of year to be talking about being held back. I mean it is only November!  Of course your son deserves to be helped.  Please don't take offense to this ... but if this is the way which you write paragraphs your son is going to have a very difficult time with you helping him.  Many of the test scores in first grade are all about reading and writing and comprehension.  Another option is to make an appointment with the vice principal to discuss it.  Tell him or her your concerns.  These people can list your options and have resources available to them that you may have never heard about.  I understand that you don't want your son held back.  If this is the case you may have to begin a new fight for him.    Best of luck to you and to your son.

Answer 10

I have been a teacher for more than 30 years.  In my opinion, holding a student back is rarely justified.  The research simply does not support the long term benefit of grade retention, assuming that your son is of the appropriate age for the grade and has not had any unusual problems such as being out of school for a long time.  Plus, it is way too early in the year to make that decision.

Is there more than one first grade teacher in the school?  Perhaps you need one with more experience, or at least more empathy.  

What did the teacher assessment team decide at the last school?  Does your son have an IEP?  If so, he is definitely NOT ( yes, I am shouting from my soapbox) a candidate for repeating a grade.  The school is required to honor the IEP anyplace in the US.

Maybe they decided that he wasn't low enough or far enough behind or whatever, just a little slow. At our school we have before school reading and math clubs, a type of free tutoring and a fun time.   We also have volunteer grandparents and parents who come into the school to listen to kids read, and help tutor.   We also have a Title I program to help kids who are a little "slow" . What does your school have?  

Was your child identified with any handicap or learning problem such as  ADD, visual or hearing problems?  If so, the school needs to be aware of the problem and deal with it.

If you have a parent teachers conference and are not satisfied, go to the principal and explain your concerns.  Do not attack the teacher, just focus on helping the child ( even if you are fuming inside at the teacher).  Be nice and professional.    Ask the principal to sit in on a parent teacher conference.    Possibly go in and observe in the classroom.  

If your schedule allows, volunteer to help in the classroom.  This will give you a better idea about what is going on, plus you may develop some empathy for the teacher.   I am retired now and volunteer 1/2 hour a day in kindergarten  and 3 hours a day in 1 st grade.   In fact , yesterday we had four adults and a student teacher in the first grade classroom of 18 kids.  The teacher was doing one one one timings in Read Naturally program ( fluency and comprehension)  I was doing the Reading Counts tests.  The student teacher was giving a make up spelling test to a student who had been absent.  A volunteer was checking sight words.  Another volunteer was circulating the room helping kids with writing assignment. If your first grade teacher has  28 kids by herself, she does have her hands full.  Maybe you can campaign  to get  more aides in the classroom.  The teacher would certainly appreciate that!

If you try everything and find the whole school/ situation unhelpful, shop around for a charter school ( free in our town)  or a parochial school ( may or may not be free depending on whether you are a member of the parish etc.)     Possibly, just shop around and check out other public schools. A good tutor, especially one who is familiar with your child's school, may be very helpful.

Remember two things:  The squeaky wheel gets the grease.  And you are your child's advocate. Hang in there.

Answer 11

You ultimately should make the final decision. You should put him in Sylvan Learning.

Answer 12

He may need to be in a private school. If you cannot afford that, send him to Catholic school, which may have smaller classes. It's all about smaller classes and how much attention your child is getting from the teacher. Student to teacher ratio is key. I always got good grades but I had to study harder and longer than many other students. Maybe a tutor would be a good idea. Even someone in high school looking for some extra cash, who can give him special attention. It's all what you put into it, and it can be frustrating if you are doing it alone. Good luck!