DownSyn Forum

Teresasmom · Posted: May 08 2009, 4:42 PM Post subject: Repeating 2nd grade

My daughter is 8 years old and is currently in 2nd grade in a regular ed classroom with a 1:1 aide and supports throughout the day (PT, OT, Speech, Spec Ed and music). She is doing well with a modified program. She has a good base of sight words, is reading texts with the help of pictures, and has learned many letter sounds. She is able to form all of her letters (upper case) and some lower case. My question.....I want her to repeat 2nd grade to build a stronger foundation of these basic skills..I had the same request in 1st grade but was told "she's ready." My gut told me differently but I listened to the recomendation of her teacher. I can't do that again. The principal cited some data that suggests retention doesn't work...and in Teresa's case she has an IEP so that portion is irrevelant. I am appealing this decision and need some data to support repeating 2nd grade based on her social-emotional needs. Can anyone help?

SherryinWI · Posted: May 09 2009, 8:51 AM Post subject:

I have read too that retention doesn't work. Generally it is recommended not to retain but progress with academic support. Now mind you this is for typical developing kids because the issue of being bored if the curriculum is repeated...the thought....I done this before and they they just shut it off.

I will see if I can find some other data in regards to the student with delays. Do you really feel this extra year will benefit. If you do I would follow your instinct.

_________________
Sherry
Evan 12, Olivia 11, and Nate 8*

Hosted on Fotki

Edensmama · Posted: May 09 2009, 9:39 PM Post subject:

I don't have any experience in this area yet but I remember reading a post before that said to be careful about repeats in the early years of school since there are a limited number of years that are kids are allowed to go to school (I think until age 21??) and often times repeats or additional schooling/life-skills training are needed more in later years. I'm not sure if this makes sense. Hopefully someone with more info will post!

_________________
Nathalie
Mom to Eden (DS) 4-13-08
Wife to Luciano (the best daddy in the world) since 10-8-2005
www.caringbridge.org/visit/edensalem

JanAndFamily · Posted: May 13 2009, 7:42 AM Post subject:

I remember the same discussion that I think Nathalie is referring to, which can be found at:

http://www.downsyn.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=40170&highlight=repeat+grade

Note especially lespring's first post, about the 4th from the top. She mentions both the post-high-school issue AND her decision to have her daughter repeat first grade in order to get the basics down better.

Hope this helps,
Jan

_________________
wife and mother of Katherine (2004) and Christopher (Aug. 2007, DS)

oomyzus · Posted: May 13 2009, 11:17 PM Post subject:

I am really surprised that you need to file an appeal, Why on earth would they want her to move on to third grade if she is not ready? You might want to think about using some standardized test score to compare her performance to that of typical students to indicate that she does not have the skills needed for third grade. They might want you to compare her to other SPED children but you don't have to do that, you can compare her to typical students. If she is not at the end of second grade on the grade equivalency ratings use that to justify staying. I think that would be stronger than the more nebulous socialization issue.

nlevcivich · Posted: July 12 2009, 12:56 PM Post subject: repeating is a tricky thing

Most of our kids will not "catch up" to their typical peers (I am a former sped teacher and about to be a parent to a daughter with DS). The reasons I have used to retain a child, when I felt strongly were social. Being able to socialize with peers is a critical life skill and repeating a grade can make those skills stronger.

18-21 year old services are also critical to lifeskills and vocational training so you need to weigh these two needs

oomyzus · Posted: July 12 2009, 6:53 PM Post subject:

How do people manage to get 1:1 aids? We only had a SPED teacher in the room for a few hours each day. They told me only kids with behavior problems get aids but it sounds like a number of kids mentioned here got the 1:1 because they needed the academic help not because of any behavior issues.

mary c · Posted: July 12 2009, 9:23 PM Post subject:

I think a lot of school districts have different criteria for 1 on 1 aides. My daughter is going to share an aide for kindergarten (so it will be 2 on 1) in an inclusionary classroom with 19 students, no more than 5 student with IEPS, a regular general ed teacher, a classroom aide, a special ed teacher for half the day, and a special ed aide. Our district prefers to try to "frontload" services by generously providing them in preschool and the early grades in the hopes that they won't be needed as the child grows older. We are not having an aide for cognitive issues but for safety reasons--to remind Anna to use the toilet, to assist on stairs (because she is not terribly steady), on the playground, in the lunchroom, etc. If your child has safety issues, that may be a tack you try when you approach the school district.

_________________
Mary
Mom to Libby 6/92, Alex 9/93, Anna (DS)12/12/03

Please support the Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q284/maryc_010/a13-1.jpg[/img]

[img]
[IMG]