im trying to find out my rights as a parent on student retention i dont want to retain my son but his school?

Answer 1

What state do you live in? How old is your child? Does your child have a undiagnosed Learning disability? Or is your child being held back because he missed too much of his school year? What are his/her extenuating circumstances? It's very hard to give you an adequate answer with out more information.

Here in California, a school district can not retain (hold back) a student with out parental consent. You might want to check into several federal laws; No Child Left Behind, section 504 and IDEA-IA. Easy to understand explanations of them can be found here --> http://www.wrightslaw.com/

Your best defense as a parent is to become educated about your child's rights. If your child is being held back because his scores are low, have him/her tested to see if his achievement (actual scores) is far below his ability (IQ) if so, your child may be eligible for benefits under Section 504 (additional benefits means he gets more in school help such as tutoring, classroom accommodation and pull out resources.) http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/sec504.index.htm

Keep in mind the best interest for you child. IF the school is right, and he/she really needs to be retained another year because he/she just does not understand the material required for the next grade, then perhaps you should consider holding your child back. After all, they are the professionals (we hope). They have more experience in dealing with the needs of children. But you are your child's parent and hopefully you know him/her best. You must decide if your child can really do the work required to master the skills the school claims he/she is lacking.

The age of your child is important here too. Younger children fare far better in retention situations then do older children. Older children tend to blame themselves inwardly when they are held back in school, while younger children are more likely to blame circumstances beyond their control. Understanding these factors helps ensure the development of your child's self esteem.

Answer 2

you should have received a booklet at the beginning of the year that spells out reasons for retaining a student. If not, or if you can't find it, get one. Some states, such as Texas, use standardized tests in certain grades that decide whether a student is retained or placed in the next grade. You need to look into why the teacher feels he needs to be retained. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is hold your child back - in anything - but in all honesty if his teacher feels that he needs to be retained it would probably be the best thing in the long run. Otherwise, you have a child that struggles the rest of his school years and that is no fun. Provides a bigger risk for dropping out. Try to be as objective as possible. Follow the steps outlined in that booklet. Talk to the teacher, then the Principal and then start at the administration level if you aren't satisfied.

Answer 3

Depends on their reason for retention. Usually it really is in the child's best interest to repeat a year if the school feels it would be necessary. Teachers really do know how your child learns after spending 9 months around him, and they really can tell you strenghts and weaknesses. Rentention will help your child be more successful in the long run. If he didn't "get" this past year's curriculum, then next year, he will fall even farther behind, and feel "stupid" because he doesn't get it. Imagine for example you were in math, and didn't have a good grasp on multiplication and division. Then suddeny you were thrust into a math class expecting you to now multiply and divide fractions. How can you move on to that when the whole concept of multiplication and division is still confusing?

Answer 4

I don't understand why you are so upset at your son's retention. There are four quarters in the school year, and report cards are given out at each one. Did you not notice that he was having a hard time? Did you go to talk to his teacher? Perhaps arrange for some special help, or a tutor? Did you help him with his homework? Parents have to take some responsibility for their children's education. Be involved, you will catch the problems much earlier, and he will do better.

Answer 5

Talk with your school board or contact an attorney. However, teachers are professionals regarding the art of schooling and you are not. If your child is being retained it is for good reasons and is for the future benefit of the child. I think your main interest is avoiding embarrassment for yourself rather than helping your child. My younger son, during the course of my divorce, passed the fourth grade but retained little of what he was taught. Although he passed I forced him to repeat the fourth grade, for his own benefit. He has thanked me many times for holding him back. Help your child, not yourself.

Answer 6

ask that again. this time...slooooowly.

Answer 7

You made no sense. Please restate your question.