What is considered a good teacher recommendation?

[Anonymous]

I don't see how any of us would know, its so unusual to have a teacher share the form.

[Anonymous]

I'm the one who headed an executive search firm again. I wouldn't want to comment on a letter I haven't seen or a school I don't know. I think people are incorrect on this thread when they say they don't get the chance to read the recs. I never gave up that right for my daughter. She got into an Ivy. Some kids with better grades/scores didn't get in. One reason was they gave up their rights to read the recs.

I wouldn't stress too much at this point. There's nothing you can do now if the rec. was already sent. You could have other recs. sent if the new school is open to accepting them. Good luck. Know that there is more than one path to success. If you have faith in your child and faith in yourself -- you'll do just fine.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. To the pp, do you know if successful applicants often get "age appropriate" selected, as opposed to "advanced"? I am not worried about DC at all, just trying to gage how this rec. is going to impact her chances of getting into 1 school.

[Anonymous]

I think most schools try to have a variety of students in each class- some high kids, some average, some outgoing, some reserved, etc. Unless the school is specifically for gifted students, I wouldn't worry about average marks.

[Anonymous]

Op -- I'm 20:59 again - you asked me to respond. I think someone did for me.To answer the question -- schools look at the entire package the applicant repreents. If your child has done well in school, has a good visit, good scores and all -- it'll be fine.

[Anonymous]

OP,
The teacher should not have let you look!

[Anonymous]

There is nothing wrong with being able to see the rec. for your own child. Where are people getting these Gestapo ideas?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your child has done well in school, has a good visit, good scores and all -- it'll be fine.

What does "fine" mean? Lots of kids do well in school, have good visits and good scores, and get turned down.

[Anonymous]

The reasons why schools do not allow parents to read the recs is to facilitate an honest review of the child without pressure and to protect the teacher and schools from lawsuits.

From this forum alone, I read posts from lots of angry lawyers who feel their children are not getting a fair shake. The possibility of a lawsuit is too real.

[Anonymous]

Gestapo ideas? Maybe a wee bit strong? I always have the teachers send the recs directly to the school so the admission folks know I haven't been involved and therefore the recs are trustworthy.

[Anonymous]

I would think that for a K-aged child, in any good rec. there would be a lot of age-appropriate responses, along with higher marks in your child's area of strength, and, hopefully, a narrative that would capture what is unique about your child. I have no idea if that is what my child's looked liked, but I would hope so. I have never seen a 5-year old who I would consider universally ahead of his/her peers -- all kids have strengths and weaknesses, and, if I was on an admissions committee and read a rec. where every category was advanced for a 5-year old, I would discount the rec. and question the experience of the teacher writing it. I think the narrative is what really matters. I think it is bad form (and unhealthy for any parent) to read the rec., but it is clear OP didn't influence it. Good luck, OP.

[Anonymous]

It is 100% ok to be age appropriate at K. Most ADs value the comment the most... WPPSI tell them a lot about potential development.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your child has done well in school, has a good visit, good scores and all -- it'll be fine.

What does "fine" mean? Lots of kids do well in school, have good visits and good scores, and get turned down.

You are so rude. I was trying not to stress OP out.
There's no sense in worrying about something that has already been submitted. Why do so many people on these threads try to suck the dreams out of people? Give people some hope...it's the holiday season.