WTH do I do now. I have an IEP meting on Monday for all three children, to prepare for it I had a chance to speak with KR's teacher this morning. She mentioned that she believes Ms. Smith is going to suggest that KR and JM repeat Kindergarten. She went onto say that to her knowledge Douglas would move on to first grade, unless I object.

I want what is best for the three of them. I do not want JM and KR moving forward if they are not ready, I also do not want to hurt D by holding him back if he is ready to go forward.

Has anyone else faced this dilemma.. What did you do.

BBG Triplets Born March 31, 2004
31 weeks three days
Douglas
Kalie and
John Michael

I am really interested to hear what others have to say on this. We are facing a similar situation. I have one son who is doing REALLY well. He reads, does math, and attacks every challenge that is presented to him. The other 2 are both in Speech Therapy for a language processing delay. One of them is getting the reading OK and does fine with his sight words. Developmentally he is in the middle of his class. His teacher seems to think he will be fine in first grade, but he will still need extra help. The other one is really struggling. He cannot read...at all. He sees the reading speciatist at the school twice a week. He tries desperately to write and he just copies words. It is so sad to watch him struggle like that. He probably needs to be held back.

I don't think we can hold all three of them back. Maybe two. I don't know what to do either. I am waiting and watching...hoping that the light will go on. Many people say it is developmental. Others aren't sure. I did sign them up for reading this summer.

I'm curious to see if anyone has insight.

Stephanie

BBB triplets born at 35+ weeks

I am in the same situation - one "typical" kid, and 2 who are behind. I am holding the typical kid back, and will just offer her more challenges at home. No way I would split them into different grades - I think it would CRUSH the other two. Not just now, but in future years when they know they aren't "the smart ones".

BGG born 4/25/05 at 31w1d




New baby girl born 9/19/06

We also plan on holding all 3 of mine back since 2 are not ready to move on from K. The teacher told me she would give the one who is not behind more challenging work and she could use the extra year to mature and become more social as well. The gap is not wide enough in our case to consider different grades. We hope to participate in a summer reading program so hopefully next year will be a good year for us.
Happy

My boys are almost nine years old. I had one of mine do three years of preschool and the other two only did two years. So, two of mine are in 3rd grade and one is in 2nd grade. The one that is in a different grade went to a different preschool since he had more needs. He doesn't mind being in a different grade. It is a little different since they were never all in school together.

Colleen
Mom to Connor, Alec & Devon
5/10/2001

http://lilypie.com>

We also struggled with this issue.  My two cents is that if
they are not too far apart in abilities, better to hold back
the one who is ready to move forward and just give that child
some extra challenging work than to have one (or 2) who aren't
ready be frustated with school so early in life.  I fear that
struggling in K or 1st grade is only going to get worse as
school gets more challenging.  If you have a marked
difference in abilities or a special needs issue, then have
them in different grades, but also in different schools if
you can at all. That way no one has to explain to a school
friend why they are 2 mins older but a grade behind. That
would be very hard for self-esteem I imagine.

Just a thought... I'm hearing of more and more parents who are sending their kids to AK before K, even if they were old enough for K. So right now, I would just chalk that up to an advanced AK class for all three of your kids and hold them all back for K next year. HTH!

Loren
GGG Jan.2005 @ 28wks

Sweetened Taters - http://sweetenedtaters.blogspot.com

>Just a thought... I'm hearing of more and more parents who
>are sending their kids to AK before K, even if they were old
>enough for K. So right now, I would just chalk that up to an
>advanced AK class for all three of your kids and hold them all
>back for K next year. HTH!

I guess AK is the same as what we call TK (transitional kindergarten - for kids who have completed a 4 year old program but aren't ready for K5)?

BGG born 4/25/05 at 31w1d




New baby girl born 9/19/06

Yes (sorry! I forget that every school district has different names for these programs )

AK = Alternative Kindergarten

Unless there's a medical condition or severe developmental delay that would cause 1 or 2 to repeat grades in the future, I would hold all 3 back in K. My nephew as well as my friend's daughter are almost as old as my girls and while we'll be sending our kids to K, the other kids will be going to AK. It's about 70/30 in our district for K/AK, so it wouldn't seem unusual for the OP's kids to repeat at this age.

Loren
GGG Jan.2005 @ 28wks

Sweetened Taters - http://sweetenedtaters.blogspot.com