Case
Retaining Request

You are a 5th grade teacher and it is the end of the school year. A parent approaches you and requests that their child be retained. You feel that the student does not need to be retained as he has not shown any areas of difficulty in his studies. He also has received "A's" and "B's" on all his report cards and has high test scores. However, the parent claims that he is not ready to start middle school the following year. How do you deal with the situation?

Posted on: 04/20/13 | Views: 1129
Solution #1
Top Solution
I would have a meeting with the paretns as well as administration and guidence. I would have the mother explain the reasoning for wanting to hold back their child and I would also let the administration put in their reasons for the student to either move on or be retained.

This is a good strategy. I agree that it would be best to hold a meeting with the parent and administration and work together to figure out what would be best for the child. In this situation, there could be multiple opinions that would ultimately lead to the best decision.

I agree that communication with the parents and administration would be the best way to handle the mother choosing to ask that her child be retained.

Excellent suggestion!

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Solution #2
I would suggest to the parent that you have no grounds on retaining the student based on the academic records you have and show no concerns of having problems in any area. Offer to listen to the parent on what they expect the child should be showing them in order to be ready for middle school. Discuss the process and cons about retaining the student on a mental and social factors as the child gets older. Offer to have her speak with the specialist at the school to voice her concerns and also as a teacher I would speak to the guidance counselor to see what their thought may be.

Excellent suggestion!

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Solution #3
I agree with all of the previous suggestions. In addition to everything that has already been stated, I would allow the parent to see the student's data and how they have progressed throughout the school year. Another thing to consider, is the mother saying her student is not mature enough for middle school and would you agree?
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Solution #4
I would ask the parents why they feel this way first of all. Then, I would tell the parents that they need to speak with the administration because I cannot modify the As and Bs the child earned which indicate that he should be promoted to the sixth grade.

Excellent suggestion!

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