What is considered a good teacher recommendation?

[Anonymous]

DC's teacher was enthusiastic about filling out the recommendation form. She let me take a look, and I noticed that for most options, "age appropriate" was selected (as opposed to advanced or needs development). What are the schools looking out? Do teachers reserve the "advanced" option for just special cases or is it the norm to get all "advanced" selected.
Thanks.

[Anonymous]

What grade are you applying for? Sometimes people think they are writing a good rec but it comes out sounding "average". Did the teacher write any nice comments about your child? Need more info from you.

[Anonymous]

It is for K. I thought that it looked "average." The description of the child was really complimentary, though.

[Anonymous]

Have you been active in the school? If so, perhaps the school director can write a rec including that info. For K, schools are looking at families more than indiv (as there is "less to assess" at this age).

[Anonymous]

I am just wondering what a "good" recommendation would look like. She wrote great things about our child + us

[Anonymous]

At K, age appropriate is a good thing. Are there things that are exceptional that you think were not recognized?

Less than age ap. would be red flags.

[Anonymous]

I would think (hope) that the teacher's comments would provide more insight than checking off age appropriateness in certain categories. For example, if this teacher has known your dc for 2+ academic years, s/he can provide concrete examples of how your child would be a good fit at whatever school(s) you're applying to. If you're feeling good about the teacher's comments, I think that would qualify as a good rec.

[Anonymous]

I'm surprised the teacher allowed you to look. Most schools are really strict about recs being confidential.

[Anonymous]

Ditto the PP. I had to give the forms to my son's teacher w/ the stamped envelopes for her to send directly to the schools. They all said this was confidential info between the teacher and the schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC's teacher was enthusiastic about filling out the recommendation form. She let me take a look, and I noticed that for most options, "age appropriate" was selected (as opposed to advanced or needs development). What are the schools looking out? Do teachers reserve the "advanced" option for just special cases or is it the norm to get all "advanced" selected.
Thanks.

Do you think you DC is advanced? If not, then it seems like the recommendation is right on.

[Anonymous]

Wow, I've never heard of a teacher sharing before. Not sure I would want to see it, either. I would just torture myself with every detail.

[Anonymous]

I'm 14:45 again. I was the first to respond to your post. I agree with 15:13 that the teacher would provide more insight. Any fool can just check the boxes. In order to make your child seem real, alive, special -- a teacher should write something that is unique to your child -- special skills-- talents--- personality traits, etc. A good rec. would be one that makes your child come alive and one that is so special that the people at the school are anxious/interested/excited to meet the child. I ran the Washington, DC Office of a retained executive search firm. Recs. are very important in school and in work. Sometimes people with good intentions don't realize they may actually hurt an applicant with a so-so rec. even if they mean it to be a good rec.

[Anonymous]

Based on what the teacher has told me, DC is advanced in some areas (not everything). While she gave a few "advanced" checkmarks, the vast majority was age-appropriate. I feel like DC will appear to be just "average." the words she wrote about DC are outstanding and flattering.

[Anonymous]

It's hard to say OP whether this rec. is good enough. I'd have to see it. It sounds like the comments are really good...so hopefully the school to which you're applying will read it as such. If your child is coming from a school familiar to the new school -- they'll know how to read the rec. in light of other recs. If however your child is coming from an unfamiliar school -- then that will be more problematic and uncertain as to how the new school will read it. Please expound on whether your child is coming from a familiar school

[Anonymous]

school is relatively unfamiliar. the rec. is mostly age appropriate - nothing below -and a few advanced. i am under the impression that most successful applicants have mostly "advanced" checked. is this right?