LoginComposite K/1 class help
Submitted by Admin (06-11-2012)
Hi everyone,
I find myself in a pickle and would love to hear advice/stories of experience from fellow teachers.
I am a teacher with 20 years experience, mostly in the private system where composite classes do not exist.
I am also a parent of twins who are in Year 1 at a public school. Last year, I was asked by their teacher for permission to put them together in an 'enrichment' class which would be made up of the top 12 Year 1 students (out of 80 children) and the top 10 from Year 2. I was very proud my children had been chosen and readily accepted the opportunity.
However, one week into the school term and only two days into Kindergarten, the school has suddenly (without warning and no communication) changed the class into a K/1 composite. They merged the Year 2 students back into their cohort, took out 2 Year 1 students (without parent knowledge) and put in their perceived (after 2 days) top 10 Kinder kids (also without parent knowledge).
I know this happened because my 6 year old son told me and after two days the school has still to tell us formally.
I am really worried, don't know what to think and don't know what, if anything, I can do! I spoke with the teacher (who is lovely) and with the principal (new guy, in the job 1 week!) who told me he had to follow Dept of Ed regulations and they would do their best not to let them fall behind their cohort!! Wow, way to reassure me!
Help!! Any advice/comforting words??
Mel
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What others are saying...
Unfortunately in a public school the make up of classes always comes down to numbers and not necessarily ability. Wouldn't it be an ideal world if we could get students into small classes that would cater for abilities.
Having said that I have worked in public schools for my entire teaching career and it does not matter if you have a composite or straight class you will always have a huge range of ability within the cohort.
The other issue that public schools face is the funding for things such as enrichment classes, we have just lost our enrichment class due to funding.
Heya Mel,
As a fellow teacher, I'm sure you know that we all try our best for each and every one of our students, as I'm sure your children's teacher will as well. However, I can understand your confusion and frustration! Sudden changes like the one you describe seem pretty ... inconsiderate to say the least.
Composite/Splits are probably one of the hardest to talk to parents about, particularly if your child happens to be in the older part of the composite. Most parents worry that their child won't be challenged enough if they are with a younger group of students. Whereas - on the opposite end of the spectrum, the parents with the younger part of the composite are usually pretty excited, because it usually means that their children will get more opportunities to seek extension if necessary.
The only piece of advice I can give you, is to trust your teacher (I have been a composite teacher in the Junior grades as well as the Upper Primary - same concerns arise on both ends). But also keep tabs on what your children are learning, and how they are feeling about it, they will probably be able to tell you in some way if they are not being challenged enough. Keep in contact with the teacher as well, but I would say....not so much as to cause the teacher distress, as can happen.
Best wishes!
Laura
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