Case
Advanced…but not advanced…student

A student was placed in an advanced language arts class as a sixth grader. When reviewing his assessment data, it's clear how he got placed in the class. He scored an 888 in ELA on the CRCT and a 857 in Reading. His work habits, motivation, and skill levels (writing particularly) do not coincide with these high scores. The student is failing ELA at the end of first quarter. Upon further research, it appears he scored a 180 on the 5th Grade Writing Test last year. This score is not meeting. This week is parent-teacher conferences. Does the teacher recommend the student be placed in a general ELA class for second quarter, or does the teacher offer one more quarter for student improvement?

Posted on: 10/18/14 | Views: 934
Solution #1
I would suggest that you put the student on academic probation for the next quarter and monitor his grades and work habits. I would set a goal of receiving a grade of 85 or higher by the end of the probation period. When conferencing with the parent, I would make a list of things the student can do during the next quarter to improve his grades such as: complete daily assignments, attend tutoring sessions, review notes, read a certain amount of minutes each day, etc. If the student does not improve by the end of the second quarter, I would recommend that he be placed in a general education class.

I like this solution because it documents. Documentation is important when providing parent's with information about their child.

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Solution #2
Even though the student scored on the higher end when he took the CRCRT, the advanced language course seems to be slowing him down. I would try and resolve this immediately by recommending that he go to a general ELA class. If he is making failing grades at the end of the first quarter, then I think that the parents would appreciate you trying to suggest something that could in fact help their child. Sometimes it can be too late if we wait before doing anything. We don't want to hinder the child if the child is struggling.
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Solution #3
I would speak to the parents and the students and give the student one more quarter for improvement. It sounds that the student is failing potentially because of their work habits, not necessarily because they do not understand the content. Explain to them both that advanced ELA moves at a faster pace than general ELA and requires a much higher work ethic that you are not seeing. Explain to them that you need to see this change for this student to continue to stay in advanced ELA, or the student will be moved to general ELA. Make sure the parents AND the student are all on the same page before making a switch if necessary.
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Solution #4
Sometimes a child does well on testing at the End of year, however this does not mean they are ready for advanced language arts. Explain to the parents that you see that the child has potential, however you think that advanced classes is not where he needs to be in order to be successful. Explain that it would be more beneficial if the student was in general education classes. Leave it up to the parents, it could be that once they are aware, they can push the child do show you that he is ready for advanced placement.

I would not talk to parents without information that supports my beliefs.

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