I teach a mixed y1/2 class. I personally read with each child at least once a week and more for children who are finding reading more difficult, and on other days they are read with by my Ta or (rarely) a mum helper. Every child reads to an adult daily. We change books daily/when they are finished according to what mum/dad/carer has written in reading record (ie "read to p4" from adult - don't change. "finished book" - change), which we check daily.
One parent in my class insists that her child is not on the right level, wants her to read the more advanced books and knows which stage her kid's friends are on as she checks the book bags when they have play dates (freely admits this!)
I KNOW what level this child is reading at. I assess her all the time. She is regularly read with, by me, the class teacher (at least twice a week).
So - as I said in OP!
Any thoughts on how to handle this?
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Tiny bit frustrated
athbert · 29/03/2011 20:18
I must go to bed! Just seen time! I really need to have a good think about how to move on with this situation and thank you for all perspectives. (Must not stress about this child's reading all night!)
I will confess I have begun to feel at a loss to how to deal with it, really. I am really trying to see her mum's point of view, but we seem to be coming from such different starting points. 
Definitely involve your colleague in this, but make sure the mum knows that you have asked the KS leader to attend as well so that she isn't wrong footed as soon as she arrives.
Just say that in light of her concerns about Lucy's reading level you have discussed it with your KS leader, who has asked to attend the meeting as well.
I hope it goes well. 
Definitely agree that you should get her in to hear reading - she will then get a better idea of how well her DD is doing
Good grief! The reading book snooping is incredible, I was 
at how open and brazen. I generally don't know what's good for me and h's e no self control, but realised early on in reception that knowing other children's levels in class would slowly send me mad. I am so, so tempted to look when children come to play or when I babysit, but apart from it being outrageously nosy it just wouldn't help me. You def need her to hear a second opinion about reading, the general idea of a few words proving challenging, roughly ten per cent, being an appropriately levelled book. Also, I think you or someone else should point out to her that it is wholly inappropriate for her to be looking at other children's books in the underhand way that she is. I don't think asking other parents about their children's levels is at all helpful but snooping is deceitful and just plain wrong. She's got real problems and is passing them onto her children.
Blimey I don't think I ever asked any of their Mums what level books their dc were on!!!
My concerns were
- is my child happy to come to school
- is my child happy to be at school
- is my child disruptive
- does she have "friends"
This year we have started to use PM Benchmark, which tests each child for reading accuracy and comprehension before they move a level. I found out about it on MN 
and thank the person who mentioned it with all my heart!
We often used to get parents advising us that their child should be moving levels. Now, we can say that they have been tested on the next level and weren't accurate enough / had no comprehension of what they'd read (or agreeing with the parent, of course!).
As we use Read Write Inc for phonics, PM B has also had the added (and unforeseen) bonus of highlighting children who are reading well, but are missing some phonic knowledge. We have dealt with this by setting up small booster phonics groups in Y1 to fill the gaps.
Would strongly recommend it - full set to be found on Amazon for around £100!
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