dc does not speak in class

[Anonymous]

My DC has a problem with oral communication in class. He is in 1st grade in MCPS, very smart but very shy, and does not speak much in class. The teacher puts him in a slow reading-group saying that she does not know if he understands what he reads. As a result, he did not make much progress this half year (Sept-Dec) and seems to have lost interests in reading. At home I tested him on reading skills with multiple choice questions and he is very quick to answer all of them correctly. So I know the problem is in communication and not in comprehension.

I think the teacher treatment of my DC is not fair and un-productive, and I am thinking about approaching the teacher but I she seems very defensive. Is there better ways to advocate for my child?

Many thanks

[Anonymous]

Any one could provide some idea?

[Anonymous]

Former teacher here. I would think that if you have a child for whom an assessment doesn't seem to be valid, you'll try a different kind of assessment. From what you've described, I'd try something one-on-one. The teacher should be looking hard for evidence of understanding, not giving up on him because he isn't raising his hand in a group. (Is this the only issue?)

Sorry to read about the defensiveness. This is a giant obstacle to parent-teacher cooperation, sounds unprofessional from this side of the story, and ultimately hurts the kids. Teachers need to be very responsive to parent concerns, I know I tried to be, but as a parent, I feel like I get relatively little from my child's teachers.

[Anonymous]

Is there a reading specialist at the school? I know that my child in DC has one in the classroom weekly. Perhaps that would take the teacher out of the equation? Are you able to volunteer in the class? I wonder if the poor fit between teacher and child goes farther?

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks everyone for your inputs.



I have volunteered a lot in Kindergarten, but not in the 1st grade due to lack of time. Met the teacher only once, exchanged the emails a couple of times with the teacher (asking whether there is anything wrong with his reading). The teacher was not really interested in our concern, just told us "he is well placed."

DC says he often does not read much at school, and sometimes reads at a level lower than he did at the end of K.

[Anonymous]

OP, you might want to read about selective mutism. My neice has it and her school has made accomodations (not sure if it's an IEP or 504). I think SIL said that they do not call on her, let her participate of her own volition, don't count participation as part of a grade, etc. If it is a disabiity it is illegal to provide a more poor quality education because of it. Sounds like that could be the case if he is doing lower level reading than he did last year. Is there a school psychologist? If there is a finding, then I think the teacher would be trained to work effectively with him. So sorry that you are having to deal with this. Give him a hug and read an extra story tonight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you might want to read about selective mutism. My neice has it and her school has made accomodations (not sure if it's an IEP or 504). I think SIL said that they do not call on her, let her participate of her own volition, don't count participation as part of a grade, etc. If it is a disabiity it is illegal to provide a more poor quality education because of it. Sounds like that could be the case if he is doing lower level reading than he did last year. Is there a school psychologist? If there is a finding, then I think the teacher would be trained to work effectively with him. So sorry that you are having to deal with this. Give him a hug and read an extra story tonight.

I just looked up selective mutism and it looks a strong possibility. Thanks.