What do I do when a student is significantly below grade-level and not catching on?

Question

One of my 4th grade students is new to the state, doesn't have the same foundations that the other kids do, and is struggling in every subject. She's reading below grade level, doesn't have good number sense, and can't seem to remember any of the science or social studies content we've learned. My gut is that she needs to go back a grade to help with some of the foundations but I also think maybe some testing for learning diabilities. I'm worried if we don't put her back a grade and she's found not eligible for special ed. services that she'll then be even further behind. The other issue is that she is significantly more developed than other girls her age (she's 9), she's the tallest kid int he class already and is already starting to enter puberty. She's also very shy and quiet. I would hate to hurt her socially or emotionally by putting her back. It's such a hard call, even my principal is torn. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

find out from  her old school where she was and talk with her teachers and also get her tested for any learning disabilities. talk with her parents and definitely put more time in with her. talk with HER about what's going on,maybe she has emotional stuff  going on or ADD.  if you have to  hold her back do it for the right reason. peace!

Answer 2

IM in highschool, and what i would do, is that maybe you should test her on what subject(s) she needs to get better on, thus maybe she can be bumped down to a lower level of math, and there she dosnt have to get held back.

I've never been held back but i would be sad and want to cry if i did..

I feel bad for the poor little girl =[

Answer 3

Please see my answer in this question as it will help you get in the right direction.

As a side note many states make it where if you hold a student back then the entire SAT process has to start all over and the child will not qualify for Special Education...so check your states special education laws.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Also yes have the districts special education office call her old school and see if she wasnt already in special ed at her old school. Sometimes parents won't tell you thier kid was in any special programs when they come to an old school.

Answer 4

Write a note to her teacher and ask for a ppt

tell her you will like talk about how to help your daughter.

What is the best way

You would like her tested for learning disabilities

Also send a copy to the Principal

The school needs to get back with you

Answer 5

Have you spoken to her parents yet, they may not be aware of any problem or they maybe unsure how or who can help their daughter.

As a few people have suggested contact her old school to see if they picked up any problems while she was there, but you need to speak to the girls parents to get permission to contact the other school.

Speak to your principal about having her tested for a learning disability, again you will need to seek permission from the parents. You may have to explain why you want to have her tested, and the benefits of having her tested e.g if she has a LD she may qualify for support services.

My daughter has ADHD, ODD and Dyslexia and was diagnosed at the age of 9, she was held back on the advice of the teachers, and it was a huge mistake, as she was bullied and teased for being "dumb" etc.

Making me feel for this young girl, but if she does have a LD then it is possible that she  can stay where she is, if provided with a teachers aide (if costs allow), and the teachers aide can do some intensive work with her, to pick up on her deficits and encourage her to excel in the stronger subjects.

I have included a few links with some good information on how to support students with learning disabilities which may help.

Good luck

Answer 6

Retention does not hold up as a good method for addressing academic concerns. It is highly associated with high school drop out rates in most studies. If the maternal parent is uninterested or unemployed, it makes the risk of drop out even greater.

One thing you might want to do is check with her previous school district to see if she already has an IEP. Many parents hide the fact that their child is in Special Ed and hope that a new situation will make the problem go away.

If you don't know how to do this, ask your ESE staffing specialist to check with the former school district or districts. Because of her grade level difficulties, I suspect that it has been addressed before.

The fact that she doesn't remember some information may indicate an auditory process or memory deficit. If you do a lot of overhead work or verbal teaching, you might try to make sure she has a desk copy of anything you are discussing. You can also create a graphic organizer so that she can write in salient facts as you go along. This helps support her memory.