Ask an Expert: Jim Cox and Pat Puleo
Measuring Up: A Parent's Guide to Testing, Grades, and Assessments

My second-grade daughter loves math and is far ahead of her class. I asked the teacher to give her harder homework, but she refuses. She's also placing my daughter in a lower reading level than she was in last year, based on an assessment on which she missed four sight words. She has always been considered very bright by her other teachers. I feel she's a high achiever who's been put into the wrong slot. What can I do?

There are several reasons why bright children don't do well in class. It's possible that she has been misplaced, as you suggest. It is also possible that, for some reason, she is not performing up to her abilities in class this year.

It does sound unusual to place a child in a reading group based upon just one test. Her teacher should have taken your daughter's class work into consideration. Most schools have a flexible process for reading group placement, and make adjustments constantly. Sight-word tests identify a spot where students begin to struggle—that helps teachers determine what reading skills need to be taught and what the child's "instruction reading level" is.

As for math, if the teacher is hesitant about giving her more challenging work, she needs to explain why. You should review the math assessments with the teacher so that you understand her rationale.

If your child is a high achiever, she needs challenge and nurturing for optimum growth. However, teachers strive to keep a balance, making sure children are well grounded in the basics. If you feel your child is not being challenged in the regular program, request a conference with the teacher so that you know what her current level of performance is, where she needs support, and where she needs to be challenged. If your child is very bright and not meeting her potential, you can ask the school's student study team to determine how best to meet her needs. This is a group of teachers who look at the total picture of her class attitude, daily performance, and assessments results.

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