Twins in separate grades (spin off to angelmom post)

I really need some advice. Following Molly's post about separating Cassie and Holly because Holly tested up, DH and I have been talking a lot about Patrick and Kevin and their learning. Patrick is on grade level, maybe a bit above and Kevin is clearly behind. Recently, we started the application process to move my oldest to another school (academics are horrible!) and we also applied for the twins for 1st grade. We knew Kevin was behind, he was still working on alphabetic principle even in February this year (kindergarten!). Well Patrick was accepted and Kevin was not. Again as I said we knew Kevin was behind but I do think he will catch up eventually because he has good cognition, has made progress since March and is very immature anyway (behavior-wise).

So my question is-- do you think it would be detrimental to Kevin if we retained him in K but promoted Patrick to 1st? I am worried he will think he is stupid. However, I do think the school will take him if there is room if we retain Kevin and we work with him (I can tutor him as I am a reading teacher) this summer and next year.

Help!

 

Do you think he is not maturing, or could there be a learning disability? I know research has shown that retaining kids with LD has no benefit. If it is that he just isn't ready, then it isn't doing him any good to go forward, and it isn't fair to his brother to hold him back. I also know a child who his parents were surprised when the school had him enter K "on time", he is on the autistic spectrum, and has a late Sept. birthday (we have an Oct. 1 cut off). In K, he didn't know his letters/sounds at all. In 4th grade, he is reading on a 6th grade level (family friend, and also in my boys' reading group). The only support he has gotten beyond inclusion was full day K.

I know, I am not helping. But, it may help your decision to get an eval done, to see if he is behind due to an actual problem, or he just isn't ready to learn.

 

Did they go to prek? I would certainly want to know why he wasn't picking it up before I held him back. I would feel guilty doing it but I can't see holding the one back that is doing well or letting the other move forward that behind.

My girls grades are actually very close with my eldest twin scoring slightly less due to not paying as much attention to details

 

Whatever you decide Sarah, I'll support you! I totally get how difficult this decision is, and I didn't make the decision until my two were much older.


If you want to chat about it, you know where to find me. But I will say this, someone (and I don't remember if it was here or somewhere else) said to me, if they weren't twins, what would you do? Would you hold Kevin back if Patrick was two years older? You need to do what is best for Kevin here, and if what is best for him is to hold him back, do it. If what is best is to have him move on, maybe at a different school, then do that.