How does your child's school handle teacher assignments?

[Former Juror]

Do you get a letter during the summer, or do you know before the previous school year is over? Those are the two ways most schools around here do it. They either send a letter in early August or post it before the previous school year ends.

My children's school is very secretive, though, and we don't find out until the Friday before school starts. The Principal does it that way because she doesn't want upset parents coming to her during the summer requesting a change. And, she doesn't take teacher requests.

Have any of you ever requested a teacher change? Did the Principal accomodate your request? I have a friend whose 1st grader was assigned to a teacher that would not be a good fit at all. She is the least liked of the teachers in the school. She shows very little patience and raises her voice often. But, since she is a teacher there, some children have to be assigned to her. The Principal surprisingly honored my friend's request to move her child because she didn't want to lose the family, but since everything is ready for Monday, I'm sure the teacher knows what happened. That has made my friend feel really awkward. (I admire her for taking up for her child, though.)

Anyway, we have been given a parent survey to complete that asks for suggestions. I am curious how other schools do it and if it works.

[CelticDawn]

we know before the end of the prior school year. when the board of acvademics (not the financial board of directors) of my childrens school meets, it is decided, and based on the student population and the strengths and weaknesses of the students, the assignments are made.

[Jayne]

It seems to differ by schools. Private schools have more leeway and "discrimination" in a sense. If you have the clout, you get what you want, moreso in Private schools.

Find out the "lingo" of the district. If there is a "code word" that would enable you to "opt" your child out of one place and into another, Use it. Schools are very "hush hush" about the legalistics and educational requirements and regulations to parents because they don't want them to know about Rule XXX or Code Regulation XXX, because if you mention it..orally or in a letter, they have to abide by it and it is a lot of paperwork. Find out from friends in the community or if you know teachers..pick their brains. Find out what you need to say or write to get what you want/need for your child.

Look up your state's education code, if you can..there will be sections and references there..use them to your advantage.

jmo

[mood*ring]

We find out on orientation day whose class the child will be in. Its posted on the doors of the classroom. However, the schools are small and if there are 6 teachers teaching the grade, your child will have each teacher for a specific class. (i.e. Ms. Jones teaches reading to the whole 5th grade). I have moved my son's homeroom before to get him away from certain students but he still has the same teachers.

I had alot of problems with a certain school last year, and I got no where with the school, the principal, the school board, etc. So I moved out of that school district and into what i feel was a better one and my son thrived in the new environment.

I agree with AHPotter. You are the only one that can advocate for your child.

[BorderCollieMom]

WOW ! I am amazed by some of these posts. Blows my mind.

[Lavinia]

WOW ! I am amazed by some of these posts. Blows my mind.

In what way BCM?

[desmom]

When our son was in school and before our school district consolidated, there was one teacher for each grade. If you didn't like the teacher, you just had to deal with it.

The lst grade teacher was a little on the difficult side. We told our son to follow her rules, do the assignments and we never discussed our personal opinions of the teacher in front of our son.

No big surprise, he survived. He didn't like it at the time, but he did survive. He is now a Sr. in college and his opinion of the teacher is quite different. At the farewell to 80 years of (insert school name here), I overheard him telling this teacher how much he did not like her class but how much he learned learned in her class.

As tempting as it is to make things easier for our children, we need to let them learn how to deal with different situations. School is more than just academics, but an opportunity to learn how to deal with others.

jmo

[BorderCollieMom]

In what way BCM?

Being secretive, code words, football movies, moving out of districts, etc.

[Lavinia]

Being secretive, code words, football movies, moving out of districts, etc.

Oh gosh, I have stories of public school inadequacy that would curl your teeth. In the middle of a debacle as we speak. Sheer lunacy, IMO.

[fastpitch]

I am so glad that my kids are out of school. They did well, but I was a teacher and things are getting worse and worse in schools.

I hate to think about my GKs starting school, someday. Maybe I will home school them.

[kennedy06]

Yes I have requested last minute teacher change at least one time that I can recall... last year as a matter of fact. There have been other times when I didn't and came to regret it, my instincts were correct about a teacher. We find out what teacher they will have in the grade schools about a week prior in jr high it was actually the night before school started, highschool I believe about a week prior. I attended private school little leeway there if you didn't like a teacher's attitude or way of teaching.

No specific teacher requesting is allowed but, a hint type forms are sent out in the grade schools at the end of the year and you describe your child and they try to put them with someone that sort of fits them.. like your child is artistic so they would be put in the classroom where the teacher tends towards artsy type things.

Yes the school dist does protect the teachers I find some should have been let go years ago IMO, the rumors are usually true avoid Mrs. or Mr.. You think well that was your child mine will love them, Ive been there done that, but in the end some teachers just don't treat all children with patience or just have such an attitude that an adult couldn't be with them for 8 hours straight... as one young girl new teacher told me and made me bite my lip when I asked if they needed extra popcorn money for those that didn't have she told me No they need to learn their lot in life!!!! :mad: just couldn't do that to a 1st grader ever.. I would go without before I would see a child go without the monthly treat, a lousy quarter:mad:

JMO Oh and I have had teachers so wonderful and taught so well that I wished my children attended a one room schoolhouse and they would be their teachers forever!

[Former Juror]

Thanks for all of the input. It is really interesting to see how other schools do it. I am just surprised by the secrecy of our school and am glad to see it is not that way at many other schools.