\doc\web\98\05\socprom.txt Light's retention scale


Date sent:        Wed, 22 Apr 1998 23:40:27 EDT
Send reply to:    core-net@TUCC6.TUCC.Trinity.Edu
From:             TRUEBUCFAN <TRUEBUCFAN@aol.com>
To:               Multiple recipients of list <core-net@TUCC6.TUCC.Trinity.Edu>
Subject:          Re: Retention
Originally to:    core-net@TUCC6.TUCC.Trinity.Edu


Nancy,


I was wondering were I could find a copy of the Light's Retention Scale.  We
are also looking at retentions now in our school.  Our superintendent has
stated that there will be no more social promotions.  As a fifth grade
teacher, I am not sure if retention is the answer.  #1 they lose self esteem (
which they also lose in class when they realize that they are behind.)  #2
they are usually quite "street wise" by this grade level and probably should
not be in a school setting with younger children.  But then what do you do
with the ones that can not make it at the next grade level?  As of now we do
not have any place to send them but to the next grade.  


I do agree that ineffective teachers affect the students accomplishments.  But
why are we so quick to criticize ourselves?  Sometimes it doesn't matter how
much a teacher sings and dances, the child does not put forth the effort
needed to master skills.  I have an extremely intelligent child right now that
can do the work but won't do the simplest tasks or the challenging ones to
help himself grow academically.  He can't do the "simple" things like
comprehend novels but he does have a very high IQ and is in the gifted
program.  If we look at his home life, there lies the problems but no one
wants to blame a single working mother with little time for her child because
unfortunately she is doing all she can do to make a living and put food on the
table for her family.  So do we retain him because he has failed all year or
do we let him go on because he should be and is capable of doing more?
Kelly