Kindergarten "Success"
Friday June 19, 2009
The assistant superintendent of my school system denied early entry to kindergarten for my son, even though my son was academically, socially, and emotionally ready for school. He was happy, confident, and got along well with just about everyone.
The assistant superintendent, however, didn't think my son was ready for school. It wasn't simply that he didn't believe my son could actually read and was ready for school. No, the problem was that my son didn't meet all the kindergarten readiness criteria. Specifically, he couldn't stand on one foot for ten seconds. I asked the assistant superintendent what the school does for children who come to school already knowing how to read.
After once again telling me that children that young can't read, he told me that children who can read in when they start first grade *might* be sent to second grade for reading. So he thought my son should wait another year to start kindergarten and after a year of kindergarten, he *might* be sent to second grade for reading. Since he was already reading at a third grade level, waiting for two years for the chance of being sent to second grade for reading didn't seem like a good idea.
I started looking for private schools. I found one that was open and friendly and had a philosophy that sounded perfect for my son: Each child would be taught according to his or her needs. How perfect is that! I thought my son would be able to be exactly who he was. He could pursue his interests, learn, but could be free to be a little boy. If that sounds too good to be true, it was.
Have you ever considered an option other than public school for your child?
The assistant superintendent, however, didn't think my son was ready for school. It wasn't simply that he didn't believe my son could actually read and was ready for school. No, the problem was that my son didn't meet all the kindergarten readiness criteria. Specifically, he couldn't stand on one foot for ten seconds. I asked the assistant superintendent what the school does for children who come to school already knowing how to read.
After once again telling me that children that young can't read, he told me that children who can read in when they start first grade *might* be sent to second grade for reading. So he thought my son should wait another year to start kindergarten and after a year of kindergarten, he *might* be sent to second grade for reading. Since he was already reading at a third grade level, waiting for two years for the chance of being sent to second grade for reading didn't seem like a good idea.
I started looking for private schools. I found one that was open and friendly and had a philosophy that sounded perfect for my son: Each child would be taught according to his or her needs. How perfect is that! I thought my son would be able to be exactly who he was. He could pursue his interests, learn, but could be free to be a little boy. If that sounds too good to be true, it was.
Have you ever considered an option other than public school for your child?
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