Why does the school system keep passing him on?

Question

I know a 7 year old boy in grade one who has severe speech problems and is obviously mentally handicapped and yet the school system passes him from grade to grade with no problems! Why aren't they keeping him back? They just toss him in with the other children despite his extremely bad temper. How can they pass him on to grade 2 when he can't even string four words together properly? I'm sure he can't even read or do simple math?

Answer 1

You say, "I'm sure he can't even read or do simple math". You're sure... that means that you don't really know. You say that he is "obviously mentally handicapped". You say "obviously"... which means you don't know for sure.

Just because a person has a speech impediment does not mean that they should be kept back in school. Have you seen his report cards? How can you know that he should be kept back?

It sounds like you are judging a book by it's cover. You don't really know this boy, you are making assumptions. Just because a person doesn't sound right to you (speech impediment), doesn't mean that they are not smart.

If you don't want the boy in a class with your child, remove your child from the class. This boy has every right to be in a class with other kids his age. If you don't like it, I suggest that you remove your child from the class. That way you will be minding your business and not anyone else's!

Answer 2

A speech impediment is not necessarily a sign of being handicapped. If the child is violent, then it should be brought to the attention of the administrators if the teachers do not report it. Furthermore, some public schools now have mixed classrooms where Special Education children interact with the regular students. Bear in mind that the teachers usually do not discuss those students with other parents or divulge that a particular child is a Special Ed student, so you may not have all the facts. I think mixing the students is actually a very healthy concept because it allows children to adjust to dealing with other children who are different. They can learn tolerance from the experience. Have you ever seen how protective children are with one another until the parents prejudice their minds?

Answer 3

I understand the impulse. How well a child does in class is in large part determined by the parents and how much emphasis they place on education. I could tell you stories... but that's not the point. So, as I say, I understand why they're doing it. However, since I'm a teacher, I rather naturally know quite a few teachers myself. I'm reminded, actually, of a line from the Bible - something about eyes, motes and beams. I think it's a very well-intentioned, very bad idea.

Answer 4

The school should be putting this child in a special speech therapy program. However, they are not going to do this unless the parent makes a fuss. The school should have speech pathologist. My sister had a speech problem when she was in kindigarden and they put her in this program upon my mothers request. All schools should have a speech pathologist, if the don't then they should have recomendations for you and a way to get it paid for by the state. Also, parents can request that their child be held back if they don't believe their child is ready to move on to the next grade. Parents must make schools accountable or they will just keep passing him. Good luck!

Answer 5

A speech problem is not a reason to hold a child back. However now a days schools will hold kids back for being deaf. Which is stupid. So I think the school is stupid. They shouldn't pass the child onto another grade if he can't read or write. That's wrong. Go to the school board.

Answer 6

Are you even in the classroom long enough to know the situation?

In grades K-3, a child can only be held back once. The parents have to approve this; teachers can only recommend. A student in my son's grade is in a similar situation. The student is actually in a special education class, but she is brought to my son's class on a regular basis so that she can interact with students her own age and receive grade-level education in certain subjects. Other students I know have a special tutor with them the entire day (this service is free, but may not be available in all areas, and it has nothing to do with the school system, but is available for the learning impaired).

Perhaps you should scrutinize your own thoughts on the situation instead of venting about a child who has a disability.

A lot of children have speech problems; it in no way interferes with their knowledge or ability to learn.

Answer 7

"No child gets left behind" a lot of states have laws now that make it so that teachers cannot hold our children back regardless of how they are doing. Also they don't pay attention, My husband didn't know how to read until he was in the 4th grade, everyone thought he could because he faked it but he couldn't, later they tried to make him skip 3 grades because he is very smart. Just because he has speach problems doesn't mean he isn't paying attention and learning. Check with your insurance company and see if you have coverage for some speach therapy. Also you may want to look into getting hm a tutor so that he can get extra help with his reading.

Answer 8

This is a common problem in most public school systems, but there are other factors to consider. Even with him being with the other children in his class, is there a special needs teacher that comes in (speech therapy)? Is speech the only other problem he has other than his temper? If so, he may be able to maintain a normal mental comprehension but speech may tend to interfer with his learning respones. He may be able to comprehend his test and classsroom activity, but oral communication may be lacking. It is one thing to notice our children at home with their interaction with family than with a social setting with children their own age. Have you ever sat in the back of his classroom to observe is behavior and interaction without him knowing you are there? This would give you a better insight of what is really going on at school.

I would have a conference with his teacher(s) to find out at what level of social and communcation that he/she feels your son it at while at school, along with asking for any additional needs your son might need (tutor, therapy, etc.) You might find that he is more responsive in a social setting than private which is not uncommon. Some children are more stimulated in a school setting than at home which will make learning and commucation more productive than at home. But by all means, please consult with his teacher and have a one-on-one with your concerns. This school year is about to be over, and I'm sure you do not want to continue this until the next. The teacher might give you some suggestion for the summer break for you son that my help him be more prepared and mentally challenged for the second grade.

Best of luck to you.

Answer 9

You sound like you have a real issue with this 7 year old. I think that is more interesting than why the school system passed him to 2nd grade. But you know maybe he is a mathematical genius. I would stop worrying about 7 year olds and live my own life.

Answer 10

Sometimes kids are considered to be "unteachable" and schools will just let them go through the grades like the rest of their peers. They see it as better than having them be in school for so many years longer when they can't learn anything. I'm not saying whether this is a good or bad policy, it's just all too often what is done. Sometimes parents are part of the problem too, they insist that their kid be allowed to go forward.