Falling through the cracks

A topic came to mind today... What does it take in order for a child to receive specialized services in order to stay ahead of, or right with, the game. I began researching information on children who fall through the cracks and came across a book, How Children Fail. One reason, according to the book, children fail is because "they are afraid, bored, and confused. This, combined with misguided teaching strategies...". The phrase "misguided teaching strategies" kept me thinking, What strategies? Am I using those strategies? And if so, what needs to change?

I then began thinking, if a child is failing, why does it take SO much to find them support to help them acquire the skills they are missing. If I, as a teacher, can show the student is not making growth in the classroom and is missing so many important skills, why is that not enough for support? I am told the child cannot receive support due to certain standardized tests scores and the amount of other students who receive support. But why does it need to be a factor? Why doesn't gut instinct play a part in teaching?

In order to even begin support, it starts with 4 weeks of interventions. At the end of 4 weeks, the interventions are evaluated and if progress has not occurred, another intervention and 4 more weeks. During this time outside support does occur briefly. Once again, the end of now 8 weeks, evaluations occur and another set of interventions are set in place. This usually leads to paperwork, assessments, and more often than not, the end of the school year. Why does it have to be so time consuming and difficult?

What is going to happen to my student? Is she one who will fall through the cracks? How much time and effort, as her teacher, do I take away from my other students to ensure she makes it? Will it all be worth it when she moves to third or fourth grade and the teacher does not spend as much time with her? Will she still fall through the cracks because she is not "low" enough? Or will she blossom with age and become an average student? Or better yet, an above average student. Will she look back and remember the teacher who spent so much time working with her in order for her to succeed in life? Or will it all fade as life becomes more of a reality?

Is retention an idea that should be brought to the table? Is it too soon to tell? Would it help down the road?

Another blog, another day...