My youngest son had his 1st day of summer school today and what amazed me is how small his class was. Don’t get me wrong I am very pleased because I know he needs the services but I want to know where are the other students? There is a total of 5 kids in this class, it is a cross categoral LD class. I can not believe that only 5 students qualify in the district. There are 4 elementry schools in this district and each of them has 4 3rd grade classes with about 28 students. The class is held 5 days a week for 3 1/3 hours with the main focus being language arts (readng/writing). How can only 5 out of over 400 students qualify? I thought maybe it was due to the types of LD kids in the class 2 on the autism spectrum but according to our district guidelines you could have up to 10 in this type of class. Since these kids are not getting additional services such as speech or social work services this can not be the reason either. Just curious to most districts qualify so few? Feeling very lucky today.
Re: small class
Well, some parents are so tired from fighting both the kid and the school all year that they welcome a break and spend the time doing other activities of value. If the kids are travelling and swimming and running around outside and all that, just as long as they’re not parked in front of a screen vegetating 24/7, that is a valid choice too. And then of course some people only do attend school as much as they are forced to, which is sad but hard to change.
Re: small class
I thought maybe it was a qualification question. I guess I forgot some would choose another option. I am very fortunate that both my boys attending summer school are very happy they chose to do so. My youngest son who falls on the autism spectrum loves routine and school definetly provides that. My oldest son is happy that next year he will not have to deal with health class as he struggles so with it. With it being his only academic class this semester he is able to give 100 percent effort to this class. Last year he struggled to get a D, so far in this class he is getting an A with lots of hard work. I think it will be a wonderful self-esteem booster for him seeing he is having sucess. Next year he will only have to deal with 4 academic classes and not worry that his health grade is bringing down his average. I can not begin to tell you how proud I am of my boys for making this decision, and I am sure it is helping with their sucess that they are doing it on their own accord.
Re: small class
Lisa,
My son did not qualify for summer school this year—under new rules— but has for the previous two years. I did not send him either year, however, but used that time to work on other things privately. The resource teacher was def. useless then and I had no desire to deal with more school.
Glad it is working out for your sons though.
Beth
Lisa M
In Florida, unless a child is failing, they cannot qualify for summer school.