I know all the statistics about retention.  You don't have to send me anything.  However, when do we hold them accountable?  When do we finally say, well, you should have done your work in class...  Why do we NOT retain them if they are not contributing to their own education?  Why aren't they willing to learn?

How have we, as a society, gone so far into the mire of research that we don't even use common sense anymore.  We let people, who have never taught in an elementary school, tell us what is right and wrong?  Who ARE  these people?

I need to retain a student this year.  It doesn't happen often but it does happen occasionally.  I believe this is my second retention in 25 years.  I need to retain him because he is manipulating the heck out of everyone!  He refuses to do his math or writing.  I mean, he absolutely refuses.  He has had really adequate grades all these years.  I know he has been a behavior problem.  He is not ED either.  He is just coniving and manipulating.  He wants what he wants and no one else matters.  His Mom is having a fit because I am retaining him.  Now we are testing him for learning disabilities.  Really?  He has learned all these years with good grades.  NOW he is disabled?

This child has had behavior issues since kinder.  I have heard all the stories all these years.  I knew I would end up with him when we changed principals.  I did.  The difference this year is that I am trying to hold him accountable.  I am trying to make sure he knows that he isn't in control.  His mom has fought with me the whole way.  I even avoid her whenever I can now.  I am going to have to retain him.  She is probably going to put him in a different school too.  Still, his record will follow him.  At least I have backing from the top on this.  Just not from the resource or Phych people.  (Oooh, poor baby, she is so mean.)