With generally more involved parents and dedicated teachers, students in private schools often deftly complete work that would challenge their public school peers, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. But what do you do when you have a student who’s exceptional even in this elite environment, and his or her parents request that you bump their child to the next grade level?
Policies In Place
You'll want to start by reviewing the school’s policies regarding accelerated advancement. Having previously established rules ensure consistency and fairness to all parties involved by explaining the school's evaluation process and procedures.
This way, you won’t have parents justifying their request that George skip to the next grade since Suzie got to skip third grade 10 years ago. With a clearly outlined school policy, you'd be able to show that Suzie demonstrated a level of maturity or proficiency by such-and-so an evaluation, while George did not and so will not be promoted. Precedent will not become a free pass if policy is outlined.
A note of warning: Even if you believe the policy is dated, policy adjustments or waivers midprocess could be construed as favoritism one way or the other as a student’s case is being considered. Look through your policies before they're invoked to avoid awkward situations.
If there has never been a grade skip before at your school or if no consistent policy has been recorded, make doubly sure your decision with this family is as deliberate and fair as possible. This family will set a precedent and probably new rules for future decisions, so extra work now will save you headaches and hassle later.
Motivations for (or Against!) the Skip
Does the parent want a grade skip to make his or her child feel exemplary, or to gain some sort of special privilege? Probably not, but it’s a mentality worth considering. And even if a parent truly feels that the next grade level is the only recourse remaining to challenge the student, there are other options to consider.
As Division Head, you understand your school’s resources and options better than almost anyone, so ask the student’s teacher for his or her opinion of the student’s abilities—don’t just take the parent’s word for it. An assessment of the student’s maturity and emotional state by a guidance counselor or psychologist may also be in order. Various specialized testing may be in order, as well.
Don’t forget to examine your own motivations and thoughts regarding the student’s case. Are you reluctant to allow the early promotion because it’s never been done before? Or, are you too personally close to the student to make an impartial decision? Whatever your mindset, remember that future students can be impacted by the outcome of this case.
At Grade Level
There’s online buzz about students performing “below” or “above” grade level for reading and mathematics—especially with the rash of standardized tests sweeping public education. Common Core discussions flood education news sources and blogs, particularly with the new SAT revisions revealed earlier this year. Consequently, parents may adopt this vernacular when discussing whether their child should be advanced to the next grade.
Your school’s grades are not directly comparable to the public school’s grades, or even to another independent school’s grades. Common Core aside, curricula and standards differ radically between states, counties, and even individual schools, so what may be “above” grade level at one school may be standard for your school.
End Acclimation
Finally, there’s deciding whether a child would thrive with the older students, or do better remaining where he or she is. There are success stories of brilliant minds aided to greatness by advancing to the next grade level—like Martin Luther King, Jr., T.S. Eliot, and Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor—and stories of those who were bullied and tormented by bigger or jealous peers. On forums and blog posts, people either bemoan or praise parents and teachers for skipping them a grade.
Of course, there’s no crystal ball available to see if any student will ultimately enjoy or hate the new arrangement. Some questions to consider while you’re evaluating a student for early grade advancement might be:
- Have you talked with teachers involved and examined their student evaluations to see if the educators agree with the assessment?
- Is there any indication that the student would fare better or worse in the higher grade?
- Are there extenuating circumstances for requesting—or preventing!—the switch, like the desire for a specific teacher or a bullying problem?
- Can your school support the potential psychological challenges—bullying, intimidation, etc.—of the advancing student?
Every student at your school deserves the best possible learning environment for his or her individual needs. But, by considering all the possible aspects of a requested grade skip, you’ll be able to make the best call for everyone—parents, school, and student—involved.
Additional ISM resources:
ISM Monthly Update for Admission Officers Vol. 10 No. 2 Kindergarten Is The New First Grade
Private School News Vol. 8 No. 2 Impossible to Earn an A?
Additional ISM resources for Gold Consortium members:
I&P Vol. 36 No. 11 Next-Level Placement and Documented Success
