August 15th, 2011 | 
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Question: As a parent – do I have any choices (No child left behind act)?
My very smart 3rd grade son brought home a letter from the school yesterday stating that his school didn’t meet the state minimum requirements for levels of education and because of that, the school was on “school improvement”. The letter continued by stating because the school is underperforming we have the right to request enrollment in another school within the district. It then went on to tell us that none of the schools in the district were at the state level so we couldn’t move him after all. The letter did say that the school had contact other districts to see if they were willing to accept transfers and of course none are.
Background information: He has attended this school since the middle of kindergarten and they are failing to meet his advanced academic needs. We have him involved with different educational programs outside of the school (chess club, science & math teams, etc). The school does not have advanced classes until sixth grade (he’s in third). We have had some behavior/social issues (IMO partly because he is bored). With this economy moving is not an option – yet.
I’m afraid third grade is going to turn him off of school if they don’t start to challenge him and I don’t know how much more I can do from a learning prospect at home. My question is do I have any other rights on behalf of my child to get him into a school that is at least meeting state minimums (without paying to put him in private school)?
Answer:
Answer by Greeneyed
why don’t you home school.
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You can check if there are any local magnet schools. Especially if he is a bright student. You may have to drive him farther, but he will get a better education.
You can also pick up some home schooling material for him, even if he is still in school. Also look for home school cooperatives in your area.
There may also be some charter schools near you. Some places offer state help paying if there are no suitable public schools where you live.
The other things you are doing for him sound great. Even if you can’t find or afford other school options, hang in there, and remember cream will always rise to the top.
not without paying tuition. Third grade is much more challenging than 1st and 2nd.
The answer to this question is going to depend on what the educational laws are in your state. Even though No Child Left Behind has minimum standards and requirements for all public schools, local school districts have some degree of autonomy in certain areas. For example, where we live in Michigan, local public schools have the option to become a “school of choice” or not. Our local school district is not a school of choice so only students who physically live in a permanent residence with a legal guardian within our school district borders are accepted for enrollment. It wouldn’t matter if every school in the surrounding area didn’t meet the minimum requirement, our school district would not accept a child from another school district. Legally, it is their right to do so. When it comes to our children’s educational needs, we often have to pursue other avenues to meet them. There are quite a few ways to give additional educational opportunities, but it can take some work to find the ones that suit your child’s needs. Your local library may be a good resource as well as any community education programs you may have. If there are colleges or universities in your area some run special classes and activities for additional educational opportunities. If social issues are a problem than perhaps something like karate or 4-H would be helpful. These are things not geared to additional academics, but work on other aspects of development. It is not uncommon for children with above average academic skills to struggle in other areas such as with social skills or physical abilities. This is normal and not necessarily a direct result of a bored child. It may be helpful to start with your child’s 3rd grade teacher. Depending on his/her own abilities and skills challenging a high achiever may be easily done. If the individual teacher is not the right one for your child, you may be able to speak with the principal and have your son moved to another classroom with a teacher who suits your son’s learning style better. It helps immensely to approach the teacher and the administration with the attitude of being a partner in your child’s education. Attitude is everything. When a child has special needs (whether they be on the high end of academics or the low end) it can often be frustrating to find the programs that are right for your child. It often works that a parent has to look outside of the public school to find what they need. Public schools struggle with many issues including politics, finances, administration, and local traditions. If your son is advanced in a particular subject, such as math, your school district may be open to allowing him to participate in a higher grade for math. I have a cousin who was classified “gifted” and he was able to go to the middle school for math while in elementary. In middle school he went to high school for math. In high school he dual enrolled in math with a community college. It required my aunt and uncle to transport him, but it is what they needed to do to get him what he needed. ADDED: I agree with the person who suggested looking in to Charter Schools. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that, too. My oldest daughter is a teacher and taught at a Charter School for 4 years. They are public schools and do not charge tuition as their funding comes from the state (at least that is how it is where we live in Michigan). Most have some specific focus such as math and science, college prep, or project based curriculum. Many also have low student:educator ratios. You would have to transport your son on your own, but it could be just what you are looking for.
look into private school
many have scholarship programs
Are you serious, *none* of the schools in your entire county are making high enough scores to met the AYP ??http://www2.edtrust.org/NR/rdonlyres/37B8652D-84F4-4FA1-AA8D-319EAD5A6D89/0/ABCAYP.PDF
That sounds like bullcorn to me. I would research that a bit more on my own if I were you. If there really arent any, then perhaps find the school/s in the district that at least scored the highest percentage and try for one of those on a variance waiver.
Im not sure exactly who you should go to tho,, probably not the principles first, they typically wont want to authorize it. someone in the district admin. , a gifted student dept. or something??
My child is special needs, so its easier for me to request/demand certain things. ..not that we usually get it.
(im not saying the kids arent smart because the schools score low, the tests given per nclb laws are really for the schools and employees, they get more $ $ with higher scores. In actuality, they push the subjects on the upcoming test so hard through out the year the students miss out on other fundamentals.)
george bush really is a jackass.
I agree with homeschooling. I homeschool my children, and I can be certain that they are getting the education they deserve.
Unfortunately, besides choosing homeschooling or a private school it seems as if your only other choice would be to move to a different district.
If he remains in this school, I would suggest you get as involved as possible. It makes a big difference! Go over the material at home and make sure he is grasping it, but I do not agree with homeschooling him after school-he already spends 7 or so hours a day at school and most likely brings home homework as well. Adding to that will only cause burnout.
I wish you the best!
Your son could go live with his grandparents or some other relative, and go to a better school where they live. My mom had me live with my aunt when I was in 8th grade, because the middle school where my mom lived was so bad.
Here are some more back to school tips, from a teacher: