Teachers - should I be asking for outside help?

[Anonymous]

Are you reading with him every day? My daughter is in first, but above grade level. She learned how to read 1 year ago with me. She had done phonics at school which it was great. Then the pandemic hit and school was virtual. She was reading AA books February last year and by June she was level H (well into first grade I believe). She is level P now and reads much more complex chapter books.
I just read with her for 30 minutes everyday. It was painful and not always pleasant for either one, but it worked... now she mostly reads alone, but I listen from time to time and ask questions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am the OP of this thread, surprised to see it pop up. My child was last assessed in January, I think, at a DRA 16 and is reading Level J books in his reading group. His reading group is also working once a week with the reading specialist at our ES. He has been working with an OG-trained tutor once a week since the fall, really focusing on phonemic awareness, sight words, etc...

So. He's made a ton of progress, but is still almost a full year behind.

I stopped reaching out to his teacher because I got the same reaction every time (he's doing great!) Is it worth reaching out to the reading specialist to get her feedback since she's been working with his reading group? Should I ask for an assessment now that they are back in person?

OP, I commented originally. Stop asking the teacher if he's doing okay. Write a letter to the principal and ask for an evaluation. Put it in writing. He's a full year behind. Yes, he's caught up a bit, but he sees the reading specialist and a private tutor once a week for the past eight months. He's still a year behind.

[Anonymous]

I'm kind of where you are, except my son is in first grade (he is behind for first grade, at level F). His teachers also tell me he is "fine, he's making progress, it will all click for him soon!" I am skeptical! I have been waiting for it to "click" for quite some time now and it's not.

He has an appointment with the eye doctor this week to rule out any vision problems. If that all checks out, we will have him evaluated for dyslexia.

I think this is a crucial time for getting help if kids need it. I have an older DD and people are right when they say by third grade, they are not learning to read, they are reading to learn. The hill will be so hard for him to climb the farther along he gets. I would push harder.

[Anonymous]

I have a child with dyslexia. Do not rely on the school to assess this for you. Seek outside testing it is worth every penny.