My vent for the day: The child should repeat kindergarten!!

[punkin]

Why do parents even have kids if they don't want to do what's best for them??

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

We have had full day 4k here for a long time. (and of course full day Kindergarten.) But only a few schools offer it, so it is on a lottery system. I am sure that many working parents are glad to be able to have their children taught well at such a young age, and have the parents be able to earn a living. I started my kiddos in private 2K because we didn't live in a neighborhood with other kids, they knew their letters and numbers in 2K. That poor child, of course she should repeat Kindergarten. What did mom do for daycare for the other half of her day in Kindergarten? Can't she just do that for another year?

 

[dogluva]

It is interesting to me that parents seem to have so much power in this situation.

School is not for the parents' convenience.

This little one is not developmentally ready. Is there an objective measure that your district has that can be the "bad guy?" I know that my son must score a minimum of 28 on the DRA to move on to the next grade. (This may mean nothing to you.)

Being a fifth grade teacher I can tell you that the gap only gets bigger. The earlier it is closed, the better.

Best of luck to you.

Are you serious? A DRA of 28 in Kindergarten. My daughter's whole class would be repeating.

 

[Piecey]

After reading through this thread, I found this chart interesting:

I know when I went into kindergarten (1992), my mom could choose whole or half day.
I went to half day, but I don't remember why. I know we didn't get naps (or recess)... while the whole-day kids, across the hall, did.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I don't think it's the county's or the state's job to provide free daycare for the parents. I am all for having kindergarten be a half day program for everyone. I agree, it's an annoyance from the daycare prospective...my daughter is going into K next year and it's certainly better for MY budget to have her be in school till 3:40 instead of 12:40. But for HER benefit, being only 5..a half day program would be better for her. As for the mom, she should hold back her daughter and call around and see..there has to be a local place that caters to the K kids for daycare and offering half day rates. If there isn't someone should get on that, they could make some $$$!

When I responded I did not read it as the mom looking for childcare but what is best for her daughter. Most districts are moving to full day Kindergarten because it is better for the kids. They do much better with full day Kindergarten. From a purely academic standpoint, I can completely understand wanting a full day vs. a half day. Plus, if the girl has true special needs (sounds like she might have some) she would benefit greatly from the increased intervention time. That was the standpoint I was looking at it from. Free childcare never even crossed my mind. Now, given the new information it sounds like academics is not her consideration and that is wrong.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

After reading through this thread, I found this chart interesting:

I know when I went into kindergarten (1992), my mom could choose whole or half day.
I went to half day, but I don't remember why. I know we didn't get naps (or recess)... while the whole-day kids, across the hall, did.

That is an interesting map, usually the south comes out as low man on the totem pole as far as education goes. Now if we could just carry that through to high school and get those test scores up....

 

[Ember]

Our district used to have a pre-first. Is that an option?


Our district is half day K but they do have two special ed full day K. but it doesn't sound like she has a diagnosed need and immaturity is not a special need.

Nope, the district has nothing like that. They have made exceptions for some special needs children that they could do 1/2 day kinder and 1/2 day grade one, but it's a logistical nightmare and will only happen in very select cases.

maybe a comprise of having OT and Speech after Kindergarten next year could be worked out. She could eat in the lunch room and have OT/Speech after the morning K and then maybe mom could pick her up

It's a good idea, but there isn't the funding for this. The child receives one hour of OT time a week. There's no way the district will pony up for 14 hours additional time.

It is interesting to me that parents seem to have so much power in this situation.

School is not for the parents' convenience.

Isn't it up to the school if she is ready, not the mom?

Sadly, parents do have the final say. I do believe ultimately the district could force the issue, but them mom simply takes the child out of the system and enrolls the child in the Catholic district and puts her in grade one... So there's really no point. Parents will get their way every time because the district doesn't want to loose the money.

 

[Kathi OD]

It is interesting to me that parents seem to have so much power in this situation.

School is not for the parents' convenience.

You would be surprised how much power parents have in some school districts.

 

[Piecey]

That is an interesting map, usually the south comes out as low man on the totem pole as far as education goes. Now if we could just carry that through to high school and get those test scores up....

I thought it was interesting too.

Gave me a whole new appreciation for WV's school system (which I know, from living on the border of Ohio) seems to work very well in comparison.
My boyfriend in high school was from Ohio. My school district had more money and seemed to make more sense overall (being county directed) vs. his school district being city directed... his city was mostly retirees and they kept voting down educational levees because they didn't want their taxes to go up. They had NO money, whatsoever.
They don't even have a marching band anymore!

 

[Disney Doll]

Why do parents even have kids if they don't want to do what's best for them??

As someone who couldn't have children, and who watches how many parents screw their kids up, I ask myself this question thousdands of times.

And I have no answer.

 

[Pin Wizard]

We still have half day kindergarten in NJ. Your story makes me sad. I have a kindergartener and I would take a teachers suggestion very seriously. Are you not allowed to "fail" them in Kindergarten. Making the decision that she cannot move on?

Former 1/2 day NJ kindergartner here! Holy cow! It's STILL 1/2 day there?

When we lived in FL there was a couple who lived behind us that had a little one in kindergarten. They planned to go back to NY. When they talked to schools up there, they were told that their son would need to repeat kinder in order to "catch up" with the other kids.

I can't imagine not having a full day kindergarten.

 

[iluvliloandstitch]

We put my son in kindergarten too early and they asked for him to repeat cause he was behind on everything and we were fine with it...i don't regret it at all...he needed to catch up..

 

[PrincessBelle94]

ignore please!

 

[tazdev3225]

When my DD started kindergarten she was 4. The cut-off back then was January 31 and her BD was the 4th. I knew she wasn't ready and wanted to wait a year. The principal said that she would be put in 1st grade because of her BD if I did that. DD was always behind. The first day of school in 1st grade I told the teacher that I wanted her held back. The teacher thought I was crazy. In March when I went in for the report card conference I was told she was finally ready for 1st grade and it may be a good idea to hold her back. DD was held back and it was an excellent decision. She was never a great student, she had to work for her grades but holding her back was the best thing for her. My DGS was held back in kindergarten and it was the best decision for him also. I don't understand why any parent would not do what is in the best interest of their child.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

What grade is he in? It sounds like second grade maybe, that they want a 28 on the DRA?

BTW, I know at my kids' school that if the kid is not making the grades, the child's report card goes before the retention committee. The parents may send in a NOTE (yes, a NOTE!) stating their opinion on the matter and the administration will read the note at the hearing. The school administration makes the ultimate decision whether the child will be held back.

Yes, 2nd grade.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

Are you serious? A DRA of 28 in Kindergarten. My daughter's whole class would be repeating.

No, he is in 2nd grade. Similarly there was something in kindergarten. Can't recall exactly what it was...

 

[Boston Tea Party]

You would be surprised how much power parents have in some school districts.

That's why I work where I do. Educators run the school, not parents.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Hmmm, well I will disagree with most on this thread. I think that kindergarten should be optional. I think that there should be a basic skills test to enter 1st grade. I think that, other than developing those basic skills, kindergarten's primary role is in preparing a child for the discipline of the classroom environment. That is, teaching them to raise their hands when they have questions, follow directions, respect others, etc.

If the child can write their name, say the alphabet, knows their colors and basic shapes - the child is ready for 1st grade. If not, the child is not ready. It isn't about repeating a grade (if K can even be called a "grade"). It is about whether or not the child has the requisite skills to succeed.

It should not be subjective...

 

[Ember]

That's why I work where I do. Educators run the school, not parents.

What a radical concept.

 

[klfrech]

OP--I so feel your pain!

I am a first grade teacher. When I suggested to a parent that her child repeat first grade last year, Mom's response was "but she is so tall!" HELLO--SHE CANNOT READ!!! People take it as a personal insult to them when you make such a suggestion. They think it is a direct reflection on them as human beings. It's not--some kids just need more time. No different than riding a two-wheeler--they all don't do it at the same time.

Mom did see things my way (finally). She is a single parent, barely making ends meet, etc., etc. When I told her the work involved for her in trying to keep her child from drowning in the second grade, she immediately saw things my way.