retention

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Home : 2002 : January : 23

retention
By pjm

HI
Until last year I had never retained a special ed child and really didn't think that you should. However, 2 different parents wanted to retain their daughters and gave me convincing reasons why they should. We are
all VERY happy that they did. I know your parents are against the retention but here are my first hand reasons why it is a good thing. By the way both girls (different grades) both returned to the same teacher for a second year. Both teachers said they were happy to have them back because they could begin right where they had left off with the child and didn't have to second guess what

was good or not good for the child. Both girls seems much more confident in everything they did at the beginning of the year as compaired to the previous year when they were timid little shadows trying to make sure no one noticed them. Both girls have made more growth in their learning this first half of the year than they did the whole year last year. Both sets of parents have told me repeatedly that they are so glad they retained their daughters and they're delighted with all the learning that's going on this year.

So, i no longer think you should not retain a child in special ed. How to convince the parents? Have them visit the new school that their son will be going to. Make sure they can actually sit in on a class and see exactly what's expected. Question them afterwards to see if they think their son will be successful. Gather a list of questions to ask. Can you son do transitions easily? Can your son organize himself to change classes and not lose his books, materials, pencils, homework for each class? Does he appear to be as mature as all the students they observed? Hopefully, others on the board can add to questions you should ask the parents (my brain is going blank). Be frank in your discussion and if they choose to move on so be it. You gave it your best shot and that's all you can ask.