6yr old withdrawn? I think not!!!

[Tiffy]

I have a very good 6yr old girl. She is in 1st grade at what I thought was a great school. I work in her class one day a week,and I am not impressed with what I see! Her teacher has no controll of the students. My daughter is very well behaved in most places and I rarley need to disciplin her in public or at home. I asked her teacher one day how my child was doing in school and she told me "jazzy" had been tested while staying after school and was doing very poorly in reading and phonics. When I told the teacher that "jazzy" had never stayed after school, she just said oh I guess it was some one else. WHAT??? I have complained about this teacher and even sent a letter to the school board. All of the sudden I get a letter from her teacher saying "jazzy" was recommended for a class for withdrawn children. When I talked to the principal again he said he had never seen jazzy act up or cry at school.The teacher said that my child is fighting and crying all day. I have a good relationship w/jazzy, she says the teacher is lying. I belive her!! The principal says he was never told of a problem. Other parents that have complain are also having their children recommended for this class. What do I do when no one will help?? I am thinking about just home schooling her I am doing most of the teaching.Her teacher doesn't teach them much reading but she teaches them spanish?!?! Is homeschool the right answer?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

I'd be very reluctant to send you in the direction of schooling your daughter at home. Your 'job' is to parent your children; you can't be parent and teacher at the same time. Continue to work with the school officials, principal included, to figure this out. Be reasonable and assertive as you do this, and you'll likely achieve some satisfaction. It may be that your daughter could be transferred to another classroom. If other parents are dissatisfied with this teacher, as a group it might be worthwhile approaching the school officials.