Reply to The two SN children in DC's class slow down the pace of instruction every day, every class

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I have no doubt that what you say is true and well-intended, but exactly none of it is relevant to the OP's situation in an independent school where not-violent kids are the issue.

[quote]Set up a time to talk to her about it.

1) We had a kid in my son's class who used to smack the teacher. She had no voice in the situation until WE said that our child was anxious about his teacher's safety. (He was.)

2) We had a teacher last year who had 4 kids with SNs, but only 1 was diagnosed. Parents crucified her for using alternative techniques to meet the needs of all of the kids. Some of the parents whose kids were struggling the most were the most vocal about her strategies. When the kids were finally tested, and found to have things like dyslexia, nobody went back and said, "Sorry. NO wonder you spend so much time reading aloud and providing outlines and study guides." They accused her of dumbing down. [u]Meanwhile, everyone's overall scores went up that year on the standardized tests.[/u]

Just ask her about the strategy, why she does it, and if she's concerned. Also, tell her your concerns. [u]YOu can ask for a pacing guide. NO, you can't.  [/u]Some teachers review more at the beginning so they [u]don't have to reteach in November. YOU MEAN, 'reteach before standardized tests', which don't occur in independent schools [/u]

If she's a professional she should not be threatened by your question. [u]OP doesn't care about the "why" -- the answer is obvious, and the result is the problem here:  the technique makes scholastic life miserable for everyone but the two kids who require this technique [/u]

-A teacher/mom.[/quote][/quote]

My point was sometimes the teacher is put in a position to use a strategy that isn't so effective to try to meet 1 kid's needs, and if parents don't point out the impact it has on their kids, the teacher is in a bind and looks like she is not a team player.

Also, some private schools DO use standardized tests (just not the same ones on public school) but that wasn't my point.

Thanks for telling me what I was talking about and deciding my intentions, then calling me out for being on the wrong track. 
In doing so, you made my point.

If you assume you know why something is unfolding without asking a thoughtful question, you get to be indignant and angry. Congrats, if that is what you are going for!

If you ask why, you may not like the answer but you can make an informed decision, and can potentially advocate for your own child.

If you child is advanced, not average, and average-paced class isn't going to work, anyway.

It sounds like the teacher is not differentiating up, and that is worth a discussion.

Like the parent who said technology would help a certain child, a private school should make learning accessible to those with documented disabilities (an accommodation). A general education teacher who is using special education teaching strategies (if that is what is happening) without the oversight/co-teaching of a special education teacher is at a huge disadvantage, and is being asked to be 2 people.

At my child's school, we have 2 tiers in some subjects, and have part time staff who help the high flyers soar, and then have co-taught support for the kids who struggle. We also have after school mentoring programs and many parents use tutors.

It isn't quite fair to anyone to use 1 approach for everyone, but again, it is worth 20 minutes to ask about it, face to face.

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