Dd and reading at school

[Bogiesaremyonlyfriend]

Dds school started a new reading scheme in September. It all looks good, they have a monthly test and go up, down or stay at the same level depending on their scores on the test. Dd has been told by her teacher that she can't do a test this month as she is already at level 8 and the scheme only goes up to 12 so she can't keep moving up as she will have nothing to read once the scheme ends. I'm absolutely furious at this! I'm very tempted to have a word with her teacher and ask if she can do the test, it isn't a given that she would move up but o think it is unfair not to give her the chance. Am I being precious or would you say something too??

I think it’s far more likely that it’s pandemonium in school with Christmas and she’ll be assessed next month, when things are calmer.

She said that her teacher had spoken to her specifically and told her why she would not be taking the test- because she was on too high a level for her age and would have no books to read. Everyone else in her class has done it and dd2 did hers earlier in the week. I feel really sad for her and that school are holding her back in the one area she really does love

Oh and thank you for your kind reply idontlikemincepies!

If nothing else, that's a terrible message. I'd speak to her teacher as a starting point.

Can she not get books from the library which are appropriate to her reading level. Does it matter what level the school are testing her at? Reading is for pleasure not just to pass a test.

How old is she, it seems pretty poor if they think she will run out of books to read so soon into the new scheme. We have levels up to a certain point, but then children choose books at their own level from the library.
Would agree with pp though, go to your own library with her to chose books and keeper love of reading going

The reading scheme has specific books as they then have to complete a comprehension test on each book they read. To be fair she has read some great books (and some truly terrible ones) but the scheme only goes up to level 12. She reads all the time and loves to read. Unjust feel like she is being penalised for being good at this when in all other areas she would be encouraged by school. But bow she doesn't fit into their scheme she is being held back. The level 12 should be for the end of school- so year 12 ish. I just think this scheme isn't fit for purpose. Dd is reluctant for me to speak to her teacher as she really likes him and doesn't want him to take it out in her if I saw anything, which he won't. And of course I'd be very polite in what I did say

We go to the library and buy her books, she has access to my kindle and reads and reads all the time. It's not the reading it is the fact that she is not allowed to take the test I'm upset at as it feels like she is being discriminated against as she doesn't fit the scheme. She is 9.

I agree with the PP, get her to choose books that are not in the scheme; her real passions and authors she loves. Get her to read because she loves it, not to get through the scheme. This will broaden her reading too and she will flourish anyway.

Just get them from the library. Why does it matter what she's reading at school if she's reading what she wants at home?

Because it isn't the reading it is the fact that she is being told she is the only child not doing the test. She loves tests. It is like telling a kid who loves football that they can't try out for the team as there is only so good you can be at football so best not to get good too quick.

Or maybe I'm reading too much into it.....

Is it accelerated reader scheme? If so just tell her to nod smile and read what she wants to. We were at a meeting at dd's school when she was in yr7. Ds was only 9 so came with me and read a book. The head complimented ds on his choice of book and discussed where he was up to. Ds is an advanced reader but it wasn't on astrophysics and definitely within the realms of children's books in the UK anyway. Dd (3 academic years ahead) said she wasn't allowed to read the book because according to accelerated reader it was too advanced for her year group. Bonkers, so just smile and nod.

Oh this sort of rubbish from schools really gets my goat. There are literally millions of books for her to read after she gets to the end of their stupid arbitrary levels.

No school should deliberately hold back a child and prevent them from doing work they are capable of.

Yes it is, theBrockmans! I feel I'm too invested in this and dd isn't actually bothered!! Maybe I should channel my inner elsa and just let it go....!!

Thanks for the replies and support.

As adults we can all read. At no point in my adult life have I compared my reading ability to that of my friends.

Let her read for fun.

It sounds like a perfect way to put her off reading in school!

Oh I ignored those book reading levels, bought DS books, went to library, he was tested aged 10 we were told he had a reading age of 16. I thought well that bar is quite low. Let her enjoy reading and just nod and smile on parents evenings.

Ugh, this winds me up!! OP, a reading scheme is a contrived way to organise reading in schools so they can monitor and assess it according to data requirements. In the real world, noone reads what is at 'their level', they read what is relevant, interesting or meaningful to them. If your child is a good reader, reward her with a trip to the library, a voucher for a book shop or a special book to share at bedtime. Let her read whatever she wants. If she is already a good reader and you are a supportive parent, I guarantee she will have outstripped the entire reading scheme soon anyway.
Aside from that, look into expanding her reading materials. Dont read high, read wide. Go for books that are a little more challenging than she currently reads. If she has good comprehension, quiz her on what she has read.
(Teacher who loathes reading schemes for their ahortsightedness)

Definitely just let it go and let her follow her passions. It won't actually hold her back if she doesn't pass a test on a book before others, it is an American scheme and dd has actually lost marks because the US book was different, along the lines of differences between philosopher's stone and sorcerer's stone. We just ignore it as much as we can, even her English teacher struggles to contain his dislike. She is in a great position, let her read what she likes and trundle along with AR when she has to. It is in line with all the other obsessions with testing. Weighing a pig doesn't make it any fatter. Pity instead her poor classmates who are constantly being told that they need to reach ever increasing points when all they really want to do is read the next book in a series but because they have now gone up a level it is too easy for them so they must read something else.

I feel I'm too invested in this and dd isn't actually bothered!!

This is key really, we've had similar at dc school, kids are placed in a group, they can only go up when the whole group in ready to move up. It can be a long, dull wait for some!!
We've taught ourselves to disregard it really. We're a family of readers, we love our books and do plenty of different types of reading. We pay lip service to the school scheme and let it wash over us. If your child is learning and happy then let it go. You can challenge them and foster a wide range of interests outside of school.

It's absolutely not that I want her to move through the scheme I just want her to have the opportunity as everyone else does. She loves to talk about her books, we spend hours chatting about the plots and characters and twists and turns. She gets so excited at new books, she is getting her own kindle and a ton of books for christmas- i had a thread not so long ago looking for reccomendations (any are welcome)! I understand that the content and themes of many books aimed at older readers wouldn't be appropriate. I suppose it's frustration in general at the school for being poor on supporting more able children!

Hi OP, unfortunately the way that data and performance works in schools, teachers have to account for the level they send their children up. If you send a child up at the end of the year seriously exceeding the age related expectation, the child must continue to make progress at that pace and finish up in Year 6** at that same level.

I also know that it sucks. Ignore the scheme and read for pleasure.

thanks again for being kind everyone. Had fears of being bashed and almost didn't post, but glad I did!

I would see whether there are any books from 40-50 years or more ago which fit with her interests. Ds has enjoyed Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Jules Verne mixed in with more contemporary books and some non- fiction. Essentially just enjoy her childhood and read what she loves. That is not a phrase you will find in an accelerated reader manual.