Ask an Expert: Judy Goddess
Using California School Law To Advocate For Your Kids

AGE-APPROPRIATE LESSONS FOR KINDERGARTEN

I have been experiencing some heartache regarding the curriculum in my daughter's kindergarten class. They are trying to teach the kids to read and write. It doesn't seem age appropriate. Seeing my daughter struggle with learning to read and write at such a young age just breaks my heart. I have talked to her teacher, and she seems pretty set on her curriculum. Is there anything else I can do?

It sounds like a very difficult situation, and not a great way for your daughter to start school. You have effectively two choices. First, you could talk with other parents and see if together you might convince the school to de-emphasize academics in kindergarten. Second you could find a school with a less academic curriculum and apply for a transfer. School districts are required to allow parents to choose their child's school, within the practical limits of classroom capacity.

Although testing does not begin until second grade, schools are under incredible pressure to improve student test scores. Some schools — including your own apparently — believe that five-year-olds should settle down and get to work. I personally think kindergartners have so many other tasks in front of them Ñ learning how to be away from home, behave in a classroom, get along with other children, etc. — that academics should take second place.

The California Department of Education recently published a book about successful primary schools, "First Class: A Guide for Early Primary Education, Preschool-Kindergarten-First Grade. If your school or district doesn't own a copy, you can order it through the CDE Press at (800) 995-4099.

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