classroom for students with learning disabilities

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

My 7-year-old has been struggling through second grade, and the school district

is now recommending that we put him in a substantially separate third grade

classroom for kids with learning disabilities. For years I've been fighting to

keep him with his " typical " peers - he has an aide who is with him all day, and

until now that has been sufficient. Unfortunately his teacher has been less than

forthcoming about his academic struggles, and now that it's March she's telling

us that he's fallen far behind his classmates. They are concerned that he cannot

keep up, and are therefore recommending this alternate classroom.

In theory I'm all for putting him in a smaller class where they move at a

different pace. That said, I worry that if we put him on this track in third

grade, when/how does he ever get off it? I'm terrified to make a decision at age

7 that is going to define the rest of his education, yet can't figure out

whether it's what would be best for him.

Owen is a happy, wonderful boy with incredible talents. Unfortunately his school

has yet to find a way to tap into them, and, in my opinion, is throwing up their

collective hands. This feels like a step int he wrong direcftion to me. I would

love feedback from all of you on your experiences with this issue and any advice

you may have.