Re-enrolling in public school mid-year? What typically is required?

[provenance61]

I'm not looking for specifics (probably varies by school district and state). But what generally happens if you choose to re-enroll a child in public school mid-year? And if you wait until fall of the following year is this better?

 

I'm wondering if there is always testing, and whether if a child tests below grade level in reading (impt), whether the school would have them repeat the grade.

 

This is our 5th year homeschooling, and 3rd homeschooling our DD who is now in 3rd. We know there is impulsivity and hyperactivity issues (attention-related), but this year it's become a struggle across the board -- and our other older child (teen) is getting shortchanged because ALL the time and energy are going to address the struggles, adapt the curriculum constantly.

 

So... we're pursuing evaluations but also wondering what would happen exactluy when a family re-enrolls a child mid-year? Or at the start of a new year? Would greatly appreciate anyone being able to share their experience.

 

We are not ruling out homeschooling again, but for now -- this may be what is needed.

[Sneezyone]

I've never made the switch mid-year. I think there's too much potential for a mis-match between what we've done and what the school is doing at that point, mostly at the upper-elementary/middle school level. That said, formal testing would only be done at the elementary level if you were seeking gifted placement of some kind or if it were an annual testing year (which you can opt out of) but those results are useless for placement and virtually meaningless because they're so poorly designed. They also come at the end of the year. With littles, the kids show up and the teachers put them to work. The teacher may do some brief classroom-based assessments for reading and math but nothing major. They are placed into grades based on age. ETA: the biggest hassle is the emergency paperwork, vaccination records, etc.

Edited December 22, 2015 by Sneezyone

[Arcadia]

For K-8, my district only requires vaccination to be up to date or the vaccination exemption form filled up, and for the TB test to be less than 2 years old. The rest is just the usual emergency info and proof of residency.

 

No testing is done even for expats that just relocate here. The kids are places based on birthdates. No gifted program here.

[provenance61]

Thank you both. If the placement is usually just on birthdates, she'd be placed in 3rd. But since she did not complete the whole year at the PS, would she need to repeat that year next year do you think? That's what I'm wondering.

 

And for testing -- we are not really pursuing any testing in the school itself. I meant outside independent testing for cognitive and any attention issues.

[katilac]

This is going to vary by school district, and even by school, so much that I don't think other people's experiences will help even in a general sort of way. 

 

Around here, there are definitely some schools that require testing even in the early grades, but if they place her in 3rd and she passes, she would move on to 4th. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sneezyone]

She would only repeat of the classroom teacher thought (or tests suggest) that she's woefully underprepared for 4th grade. A lot of the classroom supports taper off after grade 3. Generally, a child would have to be a full year behind in everything before that would be an issue tho.

Edited December 22, 2015 by Sneezyone

[Arcadia]

But since she did not complete the whole year at the PS, would she need to repeat that year next year do you think? That's what I'm wondering.

Not here unless both teacher and parents agree. I know only one case of a 1st grader repeating because both the teachers and both parents agree it would be helpful.

[wapiti]

I would be surprised if there was any testing of any kind at the early elementary level unless you specifically point out potential for some sort of issues.

 

(A couple of my kids are switching schools this January at the middle school level and all they will have is a math placement test.)

[displace]

I would strongly recommend considering getting diagnoses if you truly believe there is ADHD and you'll be using public schools. Pediatricians can diagnose "straightforward" ADHD, but sometimes you may need to see a developmental Ped or another specialist. I'd also recommend starting to research IEPs with ADHD. Public school processes can run slowly and if you request an IEP meeting it may still take weeks or longer to get one.

Edited December 23, 2015 by displace

[SebastianCat]

I have a friend who homeschooled her children for the majority of one school year, then re-enrolled her children in PS around March or April, right before the state-mandated testing. It wasn't ideal, but her kids did fine. She had some concerns about progress with at least one child, but all were promoted to the next grade and all are doing well in PS.

 

One thing my friend was surprised about was that the school asked for some pretty detailed information about curriculum, that she had some difficulty providing. She didn't keep detailed records of when specific lessons were done, or give tests, so that was one surprise. All of her children were in elementary grades at the time.

 

I recommend that you contact the guidance counselor at the school where you are considering enrolling your DD, and ask specific questions about what it would entail. I think you'll get the best information for your situation by asking locally.

[luuknam]

When we moved in the middle of Celery's kindergarten year the K teacher did some assessments (including reading level) on him before his first day in school. And this was for kindergarten when the kid went from one public school (albeit in TX) to another public school (in NY). And they don't have a gifted program until 3rd grade. IIRC from paperwork I've seen they even assess all incoming kindergartners at the beginning of the school year to see if any failed to master pre-K skills.

 

So, my best guess is that yes, they would assess her reading level (but probably just by the classroom teacher, not a 'real' assessment). If she scores significantly below 3rd grade level, then they would either recommend additional evaluations by professionals to check for things like dyslexia, and/or give her some pull-out time with the reading specialist, or if she's insanely behind they might discuss placing her a grade level lower (also dependent on other factors, such as whether she's a small/young 3rd grader, how she does with other subjects, etc).

 

Thank you both. If the placement is usually just on birthdates, she'd be placed in 3rd. But since she did not complete the whole year at the PS, would she need to repeat that year next year do you think? That's what I'm wondering.

And for testing -- we are not really pursuing any testing in the school itself. I meant outside independent testing for cognitive and any attention issues.

 

I'd be surprised if they'd make her repeat the year simply for joining in the middle. That said, if she is behind and they can't get her caught up, then that's a different issue. If she's behind now, she's unlikely to be less behind at the start of 4th grade if you keep her at home and continue whatever has led to her being behind (which could be an LD or something - not saying it's you), so she might face being placed in 3rd grade next year if you don't send her until next year. Who knows? Ideally, the school would work with you and her to figure out what would be best for her both in the long and short term. You may have a school like that or not. Our school district is pretty good about that stuff. You'd have to ask around to see how your school is about that.

 

If you put her in and she's behind, you can expect one of two attitudes: she's behind because she was homeschooled, or "we need to do a bunch of testing on her to figure out what LDs she might have". The latter would be preferable, but then it would probably also be wise to go along with the testing.