Failing K

[Anonymous]

I doubt seriously that they will hold him back. I don't think that is done very often these days. However, try to figure out what is going on as soon as you can. I say this as a parent to a first grader who is struggling. The work gets much harder in first so the more you know now - the better. Good luck!!

[Anonymous]

It is most likely just a heads up since the end of the 2nd quarter is approaching. K only receives 2 report cards a year. One after the 2nd quarter and one after the 4th quarter.

The teacher probably just doesn't want you to be surprised when the report card comes. Parent conferences were held 2 months into the school year, so that was still the adjustment period. The majority of students were learning how to be K students then. Now we're in the "meat" of the school year and the routines and expectations have already been set.

Ns and Is aren't the end of the world. Your child won't fail K.

Also, by the way, kids tend to act much differently when their parent is in the room, so don't count that as the total picture. It seems that your child's work habits are different without you in the room, thereby leading to the Ns and Is because the work isn't being completed.

-K teacher

[Anonymous]

This is OP, thank you K teacher for your input. It put me at ease.

[Anonymous]

Students who repeat kindergarten usually do so for one of two reasons: high absenteeism (>20%) or immaturity.

[Anonymous]

Schedule a meeting with the teacher after break. Don't worry about the report card. My son had many N s for behavior in k but moved to first grade since he.was on grade level for reading. He was diagnosed with ADHD this year. I actually wish we could have held him back since he is also a summer bday.

I also wish I had been more proactive in k with getting a diagnosis and 504. He often felt bad about himself at school last year.

[Anonymous]

One other thing to keep in mind OP is that for a child like yours the work he's not completing is probably something he already knows. Of course he's missing out on more practice on his fine motor skills and developing good work and listening habits but I don't think it's the end of the world if he gets low "grades" for that reason. It's not like he's not understanding the material or anything.

We got similar messages from our K teacher a four years ago despite the fact the DS was in the top reading and math groups and now DS is at an HGC and has no issues completing his work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is MoCo we had the conference and there were no concerns raised however now about a month and a half later we received this note.

I agree with PPs who say schedule a meeting after the break. Your first question should be about what changed so significantly between the time of the parent conference and you being told about the Is and Ns. That should have been raised in person at the parent conference.

[Anonymous]

I would be more worried about the n's than the I's. I's are pretty common. I doubt they'll recommend holding back of the child is reading well, but there may be some behavioral assessments and accommodations that would be helpful. I would try to get a lot of specifics on where the problems are--are there specific triggers, times, etc. if you're not seeing troubling behavior at home, then it may be something about the classroom environment.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't accept a hold back without strong evidence that it was in the best interests of my child, including an opinion from an outside expert working for me (not for the school). 6 yo is way too young to make a decision that will significantly change the educational trajectory of DC, unless it is clear to do so.

[Anonymous]

I have a friend whose child "failed" kindergarten due to immaturity; it sounded like he was on the borderline and the teacher made a mixed reccomendation. He sounds like a smart little kid, but his behaviour was not up to first grade standards. My friend struggled with the decision, but so far is glad they held him back now rather than maybe later, and it sounds like he is doing better this time around. I think his age was near the cutoff too, so there is that.