So my twin boys are having some difficulties with school and are pretty fall behind... we are debating about keeping them back and not sending them to 2nd grade....has anyone had issues with this?
The twins turn 8 this coming April but they were 1 mth early and they are small and emotional behind too. In our school system they should be reading at a level 18 to go into 2nd .. Jace is reading at a 12---and Jadon is at a 5.....
I am meeting with the principal tomorrow to decide and I really don;t know what to do.... DH says to send them to 2nd but I think they will get lost being that it will be a larger class-24 kids.....WWYD?
Bug-a-boo's mom
08-12-2008, 08:23 PM
That is a huge reading difference. I would see what the principal has to say. Maybe he will recommend some special assistance classes for them to take in 2nd grade.
I repeated second grade, it had no ill effects on me. We had also moved though, so it wasn't a known thing either. Not sure if they is playing any part in the decision making process.
Personally, it seems that it might be the best for them to repeat 1st grade. While I didn't think being a month early was a big deal, it does sound like it is for them. Of course, the really tough decision would be if the principal things that one should stay behind and the other should advance.
:hugs:
sarahrichardson
08-12-2008, 08:32 PM
I teach and in my experience boys - and premies - sometimes just need more time. It would be better to retain at an early age, instead of getting more and more behind. Reading affects all subjects, so the more he struggles in reading, over time, he may struggle in other subjects. Ask what interventions the plan to implement (esp. w/ the one that is at a 5). There are lots of very effective reading programs that are esp. helpful early. Let us know what happens tomorrow. HTH
NAK
tucker851
08-12-2008, 08:33 PM
I think that no matter what you should do the same for both of them. There will be too much of a problem down the road if you were to split them up. I was on a very low reading level as well coming out of first grade. I would of been held back but my mother decided to send me to private school and they hired me a tutor for the entire summer to catch me up with the other students so I wouldnt fall behind. I ended up going to private school for two years until I was at a good level.
this might not be an option for you but whatever you guys choose it will all work out. :)
elabela
08-12-2008, 08:34 PM
Personally, I think it's much better to retain them now while they are young, then have them struggle their entire school lives because they had a rough start.
Nothing will be harmed by them having a bit of extra time to get prepared, or ready for the years ahead.
I think it really depends on the kid if the whole late birthday thing affects them. My brother was born in October, started school quite young, and was definitely not 'mature' enough to handle it, this made itself quite known especially in early years, but reallly continued through school.
Around the same time, my mother started a daycare, and had me. I spent most of my time from newborn to school aged with much older kids, and was actively reading before I started school. The transition for me from what was basically kindergarden at home, to K in school was very easy for me
Anyway, no matter what you decide lots of luck.
EDIT: It's always better to have to checked out and fixed when they are young as possible.
My hubby was in "spec. ed" when he was a kid due to being a premie, he had some hearing and comprehension issues. It's got nothing to do with his 'intelligence' level, then or now, and his mother still talks about how glad she is she got him those resources when she did or otherwise it could have caused developmental issues if left to fester.
twinmomma+2
08-12-2008, 08:41 PM
I am just having a hard time with this...yk?
The boy were in an inclusive classroom--- a special ed class with "normal" kids....last year and they had services but the teacher got ill and was out for 6 weeks so they had a new sub every other 3 days....they finally got a full time sub in. This really effected them..
shara1128
08-12-2008, 08:59 PM
As a former teacher, I would say retain them. It's better to help them get caught up then to send them on and have them fall farther behind. I know it might be hard for you to keep them back but it might make the difference in them stuggling during the rest of their school years or catching up and succeeding in school. It's a hard decision to make. If you do send them on, make sure there are programs in place to help them get caught up. Good luck Mama!
DesertMomma
08-12-2008, 09:08 PM
I agree with what others are saying- better to retain now than later. My 8 year old is repeating the 2nd grade this year. And it is a bit awkward because her 6 year old sister is in 2nd grade this year. So they are now both in the same grade- but 19 months apart in age lol. But hey, they're actually pretty happy about it.
jnicole
08-12-2008, 09:39 PM
After teaching K and 1st for many years and knowing what info you gave, I agree that you should retain them. Retention is best done earlier and reading is a developmental thing and they will get it when they are ready :thumbsup: . Also, from the reading levels you gave, it will be helpful to keep them in first. They will struggle for a long time if they are pushed to a grade they aren't ready for. FWIW, I wouldn't trust a extra help program in the school, only intensive long term 1-1 will catch them up quickly. You do have a tough decision to make and I wish you well in your choice :hugs:
PureBliss
08-13-2008, 07:04 AM
FWIW-
I have been going back and forth on this issue as well.
My DS is going into 3rd grade- he is dyslexic and has ADHD- his reading is at the beginning of 1st grade- I think he *just* passed his level 12 DRA yesterday. He is emotionally ready for 3rd. He is excited about 3rd. I am going to put him thru to 3rd this year because if I do not, he will fail again in 2nd b/c he emotionally does not want to stay back, and he already feels like a failure in comparison to his peers. He does get special one on one help, and will continue to recieve it in 3rd- but, the state has cut back on special help classes- which totally sucks b/c he is one of the few that really *needs* the help.
Anyway- I have done some research on retaining kids and the views have absolutly changed since I was in school. There is nothing out there that I have found that supports holding children back. and i mean NOTHING! In the beginning of the summer, I really felt that holding him back was the answer, but after doing research, I do not believe this to be true anymore. There is nothing but evidence that shows that the dropout rate of retained children increases once they reach high school, and though they may seem like they catch up for a year (if retained) the next years they actually regress and go back to where they were.
In your case, with twins, I would not separate them. I would keep them both at the same level. Maybe one is just not *mature* enough yet, but with given time, he will catch up.
Have you had them tested for any learning disabilities? They may need just a bit of extra help in reading. There is nothing wrong with that.
If you or someone reading this can find something that does support retaining a child, PLEASE let me know- send me a link! I have been searching for a while and have not found anything.
Thanks! And I hope that maybe this helps a bit.
twinmomma+2
08-13-2008, 11:30 AM
Well after a 2 hour meeting with the 2nd teachers-special ed, social worker, speech, principal we have are sending them on to 2nd. They said that Jadon my youngest twin is really trying to get it and he is working at it when last year he would just give up so there has been growth and I think if we hold them it would say to them that they aren't doing well. Of course the prinicpal and teachers were really pushing to send them. We also said if they don't do well that we can put them into 1st if we need to but after talking to the special ed teacher she really thought it would be better. I really had a hrd time seeing that the levels aren't there with Jadon but I do think he is getting it..... I really hope we made the right decision!
mikoto127
08-13-2008, 11:42 AM
:hugs: I hope they enjoy the 2nd grade then!
sourpatch_babe
08-13-2008, 12:27 PM
:hugs:
Deanner03
08-13-2008, 12:29 PM
I teach and in my experience boys - and premies - sometimes just need more time. It would be better to retain at an early age, instead of getting more and more behind. Reading affects all subjects, so the more he struggles in reading, over time, he may struggle in other subjects. Ask what interventions the plan to implement (esp. w/ the one that is at a 5). There are lots of very effective reading programs that are esp. helpful early. Let us know what happens tomorrow. HTH
NAK
:yeahthat: It's only going to get worse if the attention isn't spent NOW. Get interventions going to prevent frustration later.
knoxmama81
08-13-2008, 01:32 PM
I struggled with reading in 1st and 2nd grade and was held back in 2nd grade. The second year in second grade something clicked and I started reading above grade level. Reading became my strongest subject and I always tested several grades ahead of level after that.
ETA: I just saw your update! I hope all goes well. I'm sure they will catch up with some extra help!
