I'm pretty sure I've written about this before but it seems like every year it's an issue. Our school grades reading using a child's DRA level. (Don't ask me what that stands for...I have no idea.) So by the end of 2nd grade M should be on a level 30. Well, right now she's on a level 40. Her teachers seem to think that means she gets to quit for the year!

She's been reading Babe The Gallant Pig for 6 weeks. The teacher has very honestly told me she won't meet with M's reading group every day. I'm okay with that. I would like you to work with her once a week though! M read ch. 1 and had an assignment. She read chs. 2 and 3 and had an assignment. That was pretty much it. There were no other assignments. Until Monday when she was told she needed to have the book read so she could take an Accelerated Reader test. She took the test today and made a lovely grade of 40!

There's more than one reason for this. After beginning the book over a month ago she didn't remember the first few chapters. She read the last chapters quickly so she could get it finished. Accelerated Reader tells you the "reading level" of the book when you take the test. This test was labeled as having a reading level of 6th grade 6th month! Now it does have a DRA level of 40 but M is not able to independently read and understand books at the 6th grade level! Using another computer program that she completes independently she's reading near the end of 4th grade. That's on passages that are 4-6 paragraphs long...not a book!

So tonight we started a new reading program at bedtime. We are reading a book that is written on a 5th grade level. She reads a little. I read a little. Then we talk about what's happening, discuss the vocabulary, make sure she's "seeing the movie in her head." All of those things you learn about in reading groups. Only problem is IT'S NOT MY JOB! All day long I play the role of teacher. I want to cuddle under the covers with my child and enjoy a book. I don't want to be checking her phonics skills. I don't want to be devising context and comprehension questions in my head.

I love that she is on the same campus as me. (I'm already having anxiety issues about 6th grade!) It's hard though to share concerns as a parent with colleagues. Believe it or not, my tact skills are not always the best!

I have a feeling that I should just let some of "it" go. Her grades are amazing. She's very well-adjusted. She's far enough ahead that she's not being hurt.

I fight very hard the rights of my sped children. I consider my a strong advocate for their education. I don't think though that only the education of the at-risk should matter. People say she's so smart she could teach herself. She's eight! That fact alone means she's not qualified for the job!