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Why "Title 1" Isn't a Four Letter Word.

Last year, at about this time, during conferences, our Baby Girl's teacher told us that according to her standardized test results she was "borderline qualifying" for Title 1 service.

Those words made me catch my breath. "WHAT??? MY daughter? Qualifying for Title 1? Couldn't be." And so, Mr. Wonderful and I talked it over, I talked with a few of my teacher friends, I scratched my head in confusion...she seemed to be at (if not further) the same "place" as our other children. The difference? Her personality. Shy (especially with strangers), where they were more outgoing. Stubborn, where they were "go with the flow". 



We all agreed...we'd wait it out. Let her get more accustomed to school, tests, etc. Let her get more confidence. And so, we rode it out until winter when we were informed, via letter, "According to your child's test results, she qualifies for Title 1 services which will start...". And just like that, my world was crushed.

I was CERTAIN it was something I had done wrong. SOMEHOW, I had failed my youngest born. I had let her down. And yet...I was STILL confused. She STILL seemed to be just as knowledgeable as our other kids...and when we sat down at home and went over the things they test in school, she KNEW them. A LOT of them. A LOT more than what she scored on those dang tests (yet another reason to kick standardized testing to the curb...but that's a whole 'nother post).

So, the Mr. and I talked again. He was still resistant to the idea of Title 1...I, on the other hand, was a bit more open to the idea. I knew she knew more than what those dang test results showed but...BUT I saw Title 1 in a different light. Perhaps, the closer attention with a different teacher would help build her confidence. Would help her realize she KNEW those answers, she just needed to be able to say them out loud.

I quickly saw her blossom...she adored her Title 1 teacher and the time she and a handful of her classmates had with Mrs. H. To be honest...I kind of think she thought it was pretty cool...getting to spend that extra time with someone else, that not everyone got to!

Kindergarten ended, summer started and flew by and before we knew it, it was time for her to start 1st grade.

Wanna know what's interesting? Her test scores are at, or above, where they want them to be! There's been no mention of Title 1 and the girl is reading like crazy! (Which, let me digress, is absolutely adorable...is there anything more precious than a new reader, walking into a store/building/office and reading ALL THE WORDS?! I mean. Her world just exploded with words! Anyway...)

In hindsight...Title 1 was not the "stigma", not the "four letter word", not all the bad stuff I thought it was. And no, she was not automatically "labeled" as Title 1 when she entered 1st grade, as I had worried she would be. 
Turns out, Title 1 was a pretty beneficial thing for our Babe.

And I had nothing to fear, afterall.


Comments

  1. I'm glad you were open to Title 1. Any problem a child has with school can be remedied in Kindergarten and First grade fairly quickly. Too many don't recognize this and by fifth grade they have waited too late. It is really similar to getting your child a pair of glasses to wear not a weakness. I am a retired teacher. You have beautiful bunch of children.

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  2. Thanks for sharing! Such a great point of view!

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  3. As a former Title 1 teacher, you warmed my heart. :) Your experience is what we all hope for! Keep reading, Baby Girl!!! You will go far in life!

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