would it bug you to send your child to a Title I school??? and WWYD?

DandR

So, Tay's school is in a great school district, but even great districts have problem areas.  Her school is Title I...which I think means that enough kids aren't getting high enough grades on standardized tests.  (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong there).

The problem is, she is bored to death.  There are a MILLION resources, and extra teachers and funding to help the kids who are struggling, but there is nothing for her...so she's left with the rest of the kids who are middle of the pack and she is starting to not like school.

She brings home books to read that are too easy. "Dog sits, Dog sips, dog pats"  when she can read Dr. Suess Cat in the Hat type books...with actual sentences and more than 3 words per page.  So I told her to bring in one of her books and see if the teacher will listen to her...Teacher said no.  What teacher doesn't want to listen to a child read?  Even if they were busy right then, I'm sure there was time at SOME point in the day.

She is sitting next to a problem child who is harrassing her.  She comes home most days with a story about how K. was mean to her.  I told her she should ask her teacher if she can move tables.  (I'm very much into her taking action and being independent vs. me calling and complaining, when possible).  Teacher said no again.  I told her she needs to let her teacher know every time K bugs her.  She says the teacher doesn't do anything about it.

We've long passed the crying at drop off stage, but these things are starting to make it so she comes home grumpy, has headaches, doesn't feel well in the morning, doesn't want to go to school, etc.

Soo...is this because she's in a title one school?  Is it because her teacher sucks?  And what should I do?  I HATE that my DD who LOVES to learn hates kindergarten...HATE it.  And I'm afraid her love of learning is going to fade fast this year to nothing at this rate.

KrisBriMcBunny

Its a very common problem in even in the best schools.  I love how schools do everything for kids with learning disabilities but lets challenge those who are more than average.  Bored kids = kids who get into trouble.

JOEBunny

Unfortunately, that is par for course when you have 30 kids in a class with one teacher.  The teacher probably doesn't have time to listen to your child read a story.  In reality, the teacher has about 2 minutes per hour for your child and that is if she doesn't have to pee, take a kid to the office, or fill out some paper work.  I would schedule a meeting with the teacher and voice your concerns.

CubbyMama

A Title I school means a certain percentage of the kids qualify for free/reduced lunch and are considered economically disadvantaged.  That pretty often correlates with test scores, but not always.

It sounds like she's that "quiet, well-behaved girl" who always gets stuck next to the behavior problem boys...I was that kid, too.  It sucks.

If her teacher doesn't have (take?) the time to modify instruction for her students, that's a problem and it's unfair to your daughter and the other kids like her.  I don't know how many kids are in her class, but I have 22 and I wouldn't necessarily have time to read one-on-one with a child who suddenly brought in a book from home one day, either.  We do reading groups and I do walk around and have each child read to me every day if possible, even if only a few sentences, but it's really hard to just drop everything, even for a few minutes, and leave 21 kids working "independently" (which isn't really likely with most kids that age) while you read with a student for fun.  It's a shame, but think of it this way--what if more and more kids started doing that?  When would the teacher have time to do anything else?  If I were her teacher, I probably would've made an attempt to find the time that day, but more than likely, it wouldn't have happened and I'd have had to tell her we'd try another day, or that I'd love to hear her read it at recess or lunch or before/after school.  The day just FLIES in kindergarten, and there's never enough time for anything!

Anyway, the bigger issue seems to be that the teacher is tailoring her instruction to the majority of the kids, but letting kids like your DD fall by the wayside.  I'd meet with the teacher to discuss ways you or she can make sure your DD is reading material that's at her reading level whenever possible (during guided reading groups, at least, even if all the kids read the same story during whole-class instruction so that she can teach whatever that day's concept it).  It's one of the hardest parts of teaching, so I don't judge her TOO harshly for having a hard time with it and wanting to give most of her attention to the kids who need it the most, but ignoring any student's individual needs is definitely not okay!

shouldbworkin

We have problems like that in our schools and the kids are getting good test grades.  They just don't have enough resources anymore to give the kids who need more of a challenge the challenge that they need.  It makes me really sad.  And, there are just more cuts coming around here.

We are looking at other schools (and DS hasn't even started kindergarten there yet).  I thought about holding him back, but since the school is performing so far below (my) expectations, I really don't feel like I have any reason to. 

Rebekah1021

My nephew sounds a lot like your DD. He was just too smart. My SIL would send him to school with extra books to read while he waited for the next lesson. His teacher would give him extra worksheets too.

It sounds like maybe your DD and her teacher aren't a good fit. It's a shame, because most teachers would try to go the extra mile if they could. Have you had conferences yet? Can you try to set up a meeting with the principal about it?

MommyofAlissa

I am really surprised that they don't have different groups for kids that have different skills. At Alissa's school (in P-town) if there are kids in K that are more advanced readers, they are in different reading groups w/ different kids that are at their level, so they are not sitting there reading "dog sits" type stuff.

You probably don't want to do this, but can you option her into another district? I know soon, PLV, OPS, MPS and BPS are all going to be in that learning community, so I wonder if that will change anything?

meghans30

It would bug me that she is being harrassed and is bored, but I do not think it is because the school recieved Title 1 funding. I think most schools do. I would speak with the teacher regarding your concerns and maybe she can supplement her teaching with more advanced materials. I teach high school and I have to teach at the level in which the majority of students are functioning. Due to this, sometimes the top students lose interest.

Evil Widgets

I have awful memories of kindergarten and 1st grade for this very reason.  I was always the one who got stuck next to the AWFUL kids mostly because I was quiet and well behaved..so they knew I wouldn't cause trouble with the awful kid...and I was bored to tears.  One thing that really helped me ...was somehow my mom got me into an advance reading group, a volunteer would come 2 times a week and take me and 3 other kids and we would do more advanced vocabulary and reading, it really made learning fun again!  Maybe you could promote something like that happening at the schoool..or maybe hire a tutor..or maybe there is already a program in place like that..or move to a private school that offers something like this.

rebs

Hi there,

I am a teacher so I'll see if I can help a bit.

How many kids are in her class?  This could be a huge part of the problem.  If it is a big class (anything over 24) I would complain to the school division.  Research has shown that class size is the second biggest factor in children's success at school (parental involvement/expectations being the first).

Also, honestly,if some student randomly brought in a book one day I may not have time to listen to them read it.  Yes, we ARE that busy.  Although I would most likely make plans to read it with them sometime in the near future.  The books sent home concern me, however.  Who is picking them?  The teacher or your daughter?  Does she read in a group with other kids at her reading level?  I would have a meeting to talk to the teacher about this.

As for changing tables, I'm sorry but I don't think you gave your DD good advice.  I like that you encouraged your daughter to solve it- that is great.  But I think she needs some strategies for sitting beside this student.  There are ALWAYS going to be students like this.  Talk to your daughter about ignoring, saying 'stop' assertively, etc.  The teacher may have more ideas too.  Although to be prefectly honest I find it weird that they are sitting in table groups in kindergarten, how long do they sit there for?  At this age the kids should be learning through play, exploration and interaction IMO.  Find out how often the teacher changes up her table groups(I change mine every month) that way your daughter knows it won't be forever.

Hope some of this helps!  Good luck!

cokt

Title 1 means a certain percentage of students get free/reduced lunch. It also means they get more funding, so really they should have more resources for smaller group sizes and catering to each kid's level. It sounds to me like she doesn't have a good teacher. I have always taught at a Title 1 school and I had gifted kids, SPED kids and ESL kids all in 1 classroom. Especially for reading kids should be ability grouped and reading at or right above their instructional level in a guided reading group. They should be evaulated often to see what level they are at. It sounds to me like this teacher is not putting Taylor in groups that are appropriate for her. Yes it is tough with a big class, but it is her job as a teacher to teach to each kid at their own level. I would talk to the teacher and if you don't get a positive result talk to the instructional coach or principal. And yes, I would absolutely send DS to a Title 1 school if that was our neighborhood school. You can have a sucky teacher anywhere unfortunately, it has nothing to do with having low SES kids in your class.

DandelionMom

Definitely call the teacher and ask for a conference.  Pretty much, the parents who ask for more are the ones who get it. 

DandR

Ok, I get that the teacher cant drop everything to listen to a kid read every time some kid brings in a book.  BUT, short of me going in there and saying "my kid is smarter than this crappy book you sent home with her." and being flamed for being "that" mom (which I already am that mom after the whole crying before school drama)....what can I do??? 

There are 23 kids in the class...which is a lot.

THere are several ESL kids.

And several behavioral problem kids who get pulled from the class when they misbehave too much.

Her teacher has her hands full...but it still isn't fair that my DD is ignored.....whoever said the 1-2 minutes per kid...well, my kid isn't even getting that, because the trouble makers are getting all the minutes!!!!

I guess I have higher standards of the school system and don't see how it would be THAT hard to customize for HER level if they are already customizing for kids at a lower level....you know???

CleoKitty

I wouldn't worry too much about being "that" mom. Besides, if you already ARE "that" mom then what have you got to lose, LOL?

In your situation I'd really try to schedule a meeting/conference with the teacher ASAP.  See if together you can come up with any possible ways to help your dd get what she needs in the classroom. 

And then if that doesn't work, I'd seriously consider trying to switch schools. I'm sure that many people would consider that to be overreacting, but she's a kindergartner and it's absolutely imperitive that she likes school! I would be afraid that if she has to go a whole year in a miserable situation that it would have long-lasting effects on her desire to learn, her desire to go to school, her love of learning, etc. It really seems, in my non-expert opinion, that this first year of school has the potential to set the tone of her attitude towards school for many years to come. 

CubbyMama

I agree with rebs and cokt--great advice/info!

gracendantho26

I probably would not. It's very important to me that the kids go to a great school with really excellent teachers where there is a tight knit community and parental involvement. I don't buy into the idea that it doesn't matter where you send your kids to school at all..of course it does for a myriad of reasons. I would be so bummed if Natalie's experience was like that last year...kindergarten should be exciting and fun! In her class they had groups based on reading ability and taught the kids where that particular child was at. And the aids also helped by taking the kids one by one to work at their skill level.

So unless a school is going to meet my kid where they are at, whether they are struggling or excelling, they won't be there.

Good luck with your decision.

FriskyPanda

Don't be worried about being "that" mom. You're her advocate and she needs you to stand up for her in this situation.

carrottopshaw

I teach 3rd grade at a title 1 school. We have super test scores, but most of our kids are economically disavantaged aka poor.

The problems you mentioned have nothing to do with it being a title 1 school, but it sounds like the teacher might not be the best. At my school, we have interventions in place and extra help for our kids who struggle, but we do the same amount to enrich the kids who are smarter and need more of a challenge. We use a program called Walk to Intervention and every day our kids get the help or enrichment they need/crave.

Also, it bothers me that your child's teacher hasn't listened to her read  and sends her home/lets her pick out books that are too easy. I listen to my kids read every day...by conferencing with them while they silently read or during reading groups, and I taught them how to pick out ":just right books" not too easy, not too hard.

It takes some extra time to be a good teacher who meets the needs of ALL of the students in the room, maybe your child's teacher just doesn't put in that extra time?????

And yes, you need to encourage your child to tell the teacher about the issue with K, but as a teacher I know that some kids are terrified to do that (maybe because she is scared K will hear her tell or something). You might want to just send an email or note to the teacher asking that she be moved. Teachers shouldn't take offense to that. I welcome parent input in my classroom.