1rst yr. teacher is not challenging my child, she missed gifted placement by 2 points and VP is no help!?

Question

I've been battling this since the 1rst week of school. The teacher aims to reach the struggling kids w/o advanced work for the others. She hands out worksheet after worksheet. My daughter cries and begs to be homeschooled, she has asked me for a teacher that is more difficult and complained repeatedly that she is bored and not challenged. (her words, not mine)
Her K teacher was a veteran with high expectations. She pushed the kids very hard and got results. All summer, my child wanted to go back to school ... now I have to drag her out of the house each day.
I've been to the VP 3x.(getting to the principal is like getting to see the Wizard of Oz). I have met with the VP, the teacher and the gifted program dir. together. They tested her for the gifted program and she was denied by 2 pts on 1 part of the assessment.
The g.p. was the only pos. reinforcement she's gotten all yr! What can I do now? My child is still not challenged and they are not offering her any solutions.

To those who waste time answering by criticizing a concerned parent: I do give my child challenges at home. We do science projects, beginning multiplication, creative writing and she is reading on a 4th grade level. In school, she is given 2 digit addition and subtraction with 1rst grade reading. I do not care what her program is called. I do not want her to loose interest or passion for school because a brand new teacher cannot give her work that is geared to her level. This teacher once assigned a book to the kids that she had never read and then took it back a week later when someone complained it was too hard. I am not the only parent who has voiced the same concerns. Several parents have complained to the VP, with no results. It is not good teaching to not provide lessons for all levels of students.

Answer 1

u may want to forget about the gifyted program 4 this yr, and then try again next yr. for now, tell ur daughter that since she is understanding everything, to try and go above and beyond what the teacher is asking. im sure that you've heard of somethinhg called kumon, well what u should do, is make her take classes there a grade or two ahead. kumon also gives out homework. this way she will get the challenge she needs and also very very very good grades.

Answer 2

If you live in the United States, which I am assuming you do, the curriculum your child receives has nothing to do with how long her teacher has been in the business...each state in the country has a set of standards saying what will be taught at each grade level. Some school districts even push it a step further, and mandate when each chapter must be finished, and when tests will be turned in. There isn't a lot of wiggle room left during the day...so I can guarantee that you will not find a "more difficult teacher, " becasue the curriculum is mandated. Your daugter will have to do her 2 digit subtraction and 1st grade reading no matter who's class she's in...it's the law.

You may find a teacher that has more experience, and is therefore better at differentiating her instruction and finding challenge activities for your daughter, but I guarantee you that the teacher you have is doing the best she can, and is probably working 10 -12 hour days (if not more) as it is. With all the legal demands placed on a teacher to provide instruction for English Language Learners and Special Needs students, teaching in a US classroom is like performing a juggling act. Unfortunately, providing challenges for gited students is the ball that most often gets dropped, but that is the way it has to be...it is only right that struggling students get the extra attention (in those rare moments when there is extra attention to give).

I am, of course, sad to hear that school is no longer fun for your daughter, but she needs to understand that it is her job to go to school, just like it is your job to do whatever it is that you do.

If you really think that getting your daughter into the gifted program is the answer, try to talk the school into re-testing her...or just wait until next year.

good luck!

Answer 3

Wow. I so disagree with people who say not to blame the teacher. If she is going to be a good teacher, she needs to guide all the kids in her class, not just the ones who may bring test scores down. There are ways to "challenge" brighter students with independent assignments. If the teacher is new, does she have a mentor teacher? Maybe you could have a group meeting and include her mentor to see what she suggests. Sometimes it is intimidating to ask for help when you are new.
I have a kid like yours. He hates sports, always has his nose in a book. This does not make him disfunctional. To the underachiever earlier who called your kid "not normal" ... get a life. Some people thrive on challenges, are motivated by accomplishment and do well in a fast paced environment. First grade, seventh, or college ... it should not matter. If the child is calling out for help, it is a shame that the school is going to ignore it.
If rules are rules and they will not place her in the G&T, then address it in writing and copy it to the principal, the superintendent and the teacher. Ask them to give you a written plan of action. It sounds like your daughter has already met the standards for her grade. What do they want her to do, daydream and snooze through school? See if you can get the other parents involved. Ask what kind of monitoring and evaluation is being done on the effectiveness of new teachers in that school. You may see more than the VP does. Maybe you can corner the principal at a school game or something and brief her, ask for a meeting?
These ARE the formative years. I don't blame you for being concerned. Ignore these blockheads ... at least you care enough to be involved!!

Answer 4

It is really sad that parents are actually blaming teachers for things like this! Yes, the school may not be responding correctly to the issue and that is a problem. If you don't feel your child is not challenged enough, you have to take the responsibility and challange her yourself. Put yourself in the teacher's shoes. They have a class of maybe 20 to 25 kids depending on the school and school district. There is no way that they can adapt the lesson to each individual student. That is impossible. They have to meet the most important goals and guidelines as required by No Child Left Behind. Unfortunately, teachers are required to teach to the test now and can't do much extra stuff at all. It wasn't like this when we were in public school, but that is what it is like now. To put down a 1st year teacher who is already having a hard year being a new teacher as is, is simply just not fair. As for gifted, if you don't make it you can always try again the next year.That isn't the teacher's fault. Maybe see if the school has any extra work that your daughter can do at home so that she can pass the gifted test next time, but please do not blame the teachers for your child not being challenged. Blame congress and all of the guidelines of No Child Left Behind (which could have been a really good federal mandate if they hadn't added so much to it). Talk to them if you want teachers to have the time to challange your daughter. They are under a lot of stress and unless you are in their shoes, there is no way that you can know what they are going through. I am married to a teacher that works with kids on the other end (learning disabled) and he struggles as well in just getting his students to keep up with the mainstream. There is no way they can be perfect.

Answer 5

You work with your child on things the other students are not even close to being ready for. No wonder she's bored! She should be stimulated at school, but the teacher can't possibly give her direct instruction at a grade level two above her own when she has a class of first graders who are just learning the basics. Even if your daughter reads at such a high level, she would still require instruction.
I think no matter what the teacher, you would feel your child is not being given the attention she deserves. I recommend a private school where that class sizes are smaller, but they may not have a gifted program.
Why does the idea of homeschooling not appeal to you? I think that may be the best option for you.

Answer 6

First, see if you can call the school counselor, psychologist or social worker to back you up. I would then
call the principal and the assistant superintendent of curriculum and schedule yet another meeting. I would make sure that you have all of your concerns outlined and with examples to back you up. Let them know how upset you daughter is and come with solutions to the problem. Being retested in the G&T program? move to a different classroom? It sounds lke this is what you are doing- now you are just moving up the chain of command. If this doesn't work, next would be the superintendent and the board of education. There are open meetings that you can go and get some solutions. The editorials in the newspaper can always be your ally.

Answer 7

Gifted students are often 'left out' when it comes to individualizing education. Does your child do all of her work, or does she neglect it because she is bored? She must prove that the work is too easy. You can do this by bringing her schoolwork to the school and showing the principal all her perfect papers. If her papers are not always perfect, or if she does not tend to to the work, then the reason she might be 'bored', is because she is struggling to do the work, not because it is too easy. This is often the case in situations like this. If she truly is gifted, then make friends with some parents who has a special needs child, and thank your lucky stars that you're not struggling to teach your daughter the ABCs in 5th grade.

Answer 8

Contact the elementary coordinator in the district. She should be able to help you. If not (and you should tell the coordinator that you will be speaking to the school board), then...Send a letter to the principal. In the letter, tell her that you're planning to appeal to the school board. Tell the teacher the same thing you wrote here about worksheets and your daughter crying, also about the challenging K teacher. Give the principal up until the next school board meeting, then make an appointment to speak before them about a school issue.

I've taught school 26 years, and I'm ashamed to hear of the complaints that you're mentioning.

Answer 9

You cannot rely on the school to provide challenging work for your child. Whether it is a school for gifted children or not.

The fact of the matter is your daughter missed out by 2 points. 2 points it may be but it is the difference between a gifted child and one which is not gifted.

Change her attitude to school because it is not healthy. She sees it as something which is MEANT to be challenging. at times it is not geared towards that, at times it is teaching children life skills and things that are fun. Your daughter needs to understand that school is fun and the real studying until the wee hrs comes at university. It is your fault why she thinks like this.

You can't get to see the head master because you are one of those parents who other people try to avoid. You are pushy, competitive, criticising and you are making your daughter grow up too quickly. Instead of using her spare time to study, why doesn't she play with her friends or have fun? - give the child a break!!!! - don't guide her to miss her youth..

Answer 10

Well let's go ahead and make sure the school drops everything just to teach your child, who cares about the rest of the students who are there to learn too.
If you don't like it, send her to another school and see if it is any different, but any good school will do the same thing. You cannot just forget about helping a whole school full of students because 1 parent thinks their kid is smarter than everybody else, wether it is true or not.
Or you can home school her, then the teacher can pay sole attention to her. Oh yeah, she's in 1st grade, RELAX!