Is this slow progress

[minionmadness]

Dts2 finished YR1 on...

Maths 2B
Reading 2B
Writing 2C

Just been given the following at parents evening for YR2...

Maths 2A
Reading 2B
Writing 2B

CT didn't seem worried and was generally pleased with him. I'm aware these levels are going but I'm thinking this is slow progress, I thought we might be seeing at least 2 sub-levels of progress, not 1.

We have similar concerns. I also have twins, both left yr 1 quite ahead of where they needed to be.In reading dd was 2A and now 3C which is not too bad progress, DS was 2A and is still 2A. I was worried about lack of progress especially as they have been in a very disruptive class this year, however the HT explained that they are happy enough with my 2 as they measure progress from end of foundation and they had made a huge amount of progress in yr 1 so should make the necessary progress over 2 years. He may have just been saying this to shut me up but it made me feel a little better

Yes, that's slower than expected. If he was level 2 in Y1, he should be aiming for level 3 in Y2. I would be especially concerned about the lack of progress in reading.

There could be various reasons, including the possibility that he wasn't accurately assessed in Y1. It's also possible that he was only just a 2b in Y1 and is now almost a 2a IYSWIM.

I would speak to the teacher and see what they're doing to support him. In my school, he'd have been identified and would be working with the teacher in assembly times etc.

Never mind the levels, can you see him making progress? I've seen DS "stagnate" in terms of levels because there was some crucial thing he struggled with, but make progress in other directions.

Also remember DC go in fits and spurts, he may have made super progress to get to his levels in Y1, and be "almost" at the next sub-level now. Does he have end of year targets?

Thanks...

I didn't want to question too much since I wasn't sure if the progress was generally slower in YR2.

He did make very good progress in YR1 and he adored his CT. Sadly the same can't be said for his feelings towards his YR2 CT and he often tells me that he thinks she doesn't like him. He can be very sensitive though and I struggle with the thought that a CT might not like a child.

I will arrange a meeting after the break to discuss in more detail. Since posting I've done a few searches and it would appear there are questions to ask.

I've done some work with dts2 over the last week ahead of our break away next week, and it would appear to be a comprehension and inference issue with his reading. I've never really tested this and I think he has lulled me with his excellent reading and wide vocab, he can read anything and doesn't struggle at all to decode words.

I do feel awful now that he's probably been struggling, just wish one of his CT in YR1 & YR2 had mentioned it too, rather than wait until I questioned the slow progress. In my defence his twin brother has ASD so a bigger portion of my academic support goes to him because he most definitely needs it, but had I know dts2 was having issues I would have addressed this regardless.

Just to point out that his level now in reading is 2A (not 2B as I wrote, that was my error). Which I still feel is slow progress and will still be talking to CT when we get back to school.

I know when we are reading at home I will need to ask more questions and seeking some predictions from him too, but is there anything else I could be doing? I was thinking about getting some work books for him to practice at home, he would be quite happy to do some extra practice.

Bumping for any ideas...

Are schools still using the old levels?

What are his targets for the end of the year?

Yes still using old levels for YR2 and YR6.

I got the impression that he will struggle to be secure in level 3 before the end of the school year so his levels will probably stay as they are. He works in the 2nd top sets for literacy and maths.

He left Reception with expected levels in everything, then romped home at levels 2's at the end of YR1. So on paper an excellent year. CT had nothing but praise for him and never said one negative word about his work or him... ever.

So either YR1 CT has levelled him way to high and this is now coming out or YR1 CT got it right and YR2 CT has not.

I'm not really concerned about what his levels are but I am concerned about his apparent lack of progress and the fact that until parents evening his YR2 CT has never raised any concerns.

But it doesn't sound like there were any concerns to be raised before?

When you speak to his teacher, it might be useful to take a 'what areas can I help ds in' rather than 'he's not made much progress' approach. Sounds like you've identified where he needs some help in reading - check out whether the school agree with this and what they've got in place to help.

He may have been over generously levelled in Y1, or he may be just consolidating before another spurt of progress. The summer term is quite a long one, so there's still time.

Progress is assessed over the whole of KS1, so if the teacher isn't concerned it's probably because he's looking on track to meet these targets.

Fwiw, my dd had a dip in confidence in maths in Y2. I bought her some of the Carol Vorderman workbooks which she loved and she's now flying in Y3.

You're right, I'm probably over thinking due to a touch of guilt over spending more time supporting his dtb (ASD). The school are generally good, although he definitely hasn't taken to his YR2 CT like he did the one in YR1. He thinks "she isn't kind or helpful like a teacher should be"!

I will definitely not be talking about slow progress to the CT, more along the lines of "how can we support ds". Once we know we can.