How to Get a Child Moved to a Different Middle School Class

You can change your child's classroom for valid reasons, such as unchallenging work.

Periodically, you may want to switch your child's teachers in middle school. Several reasons for the switch exist. For example, your child may feel that the majority of the work is easy and unchallenging. He may want to take on academic assignments that will challenge him. Alternatively, he may feel that the curriculum is too challenging and that he is not able to handle the subject matter yet. In either case, you should talk to both your child and your child's teacher about the need to change class. Your school's principal is the person who most likely must approve a move.

Instructions

1. Write down the specific reasons why you want to change your child's classroom. When meeting with your child's teacher and/or principal, you will need to have concrete and legitimate explanations for the change request. Talk to your child if he is complaining about someone or something in his current classroom. Write down these concerns.

2. Set up a meeting with your child's teacher to discuss the change request. Before meeting with the principal, who is likely to have the final word, your teacher can provide her side of the story. Although your child may have honestly told you his reasons for requesting the class change, you should also listen to what the child's teacher has to say.

3. Request formally a classroom change. First, set up a follow-up meeting with your child's current teacher and the principal. Both officials should hear firsthand the reason for the request. For example, your child may have been held back a grade and you want the child to be moved to his normal grade level. The principal will make the final determination.

4. Set up a final meeting with your child's new teacher, if the principal agrees with your request. Convey any behavioral or academic concerns with your new teacher, so that the teacher understands the context for the switch. For example, your child may need some remedial help on a particular subject.

5. Meet with the new teacher to get the parts of the lesson plan that your child missed. Work with your child at home to catch up on the lessons that he missed. Alternatively, set up after-school (or lunchtime) tutoring sessions with your child's new teacher, so that the student can catch up. You will need to schedule tutoring times with the new teacher.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that your child has a legitimate reason to complain about his current classroom, if he is requesting to move to a different class. Switching classrooms, particularly during the middle of the year, is disruptive. A change is less likely to occur if the teacher and principal do not feel that there is a valid enough reason to move your child to a new room.

References

• Parent Dish: Want to Change Your Child's Classroom? Talk to the Teacher First