Mandarin Immersion

I would like to apologize to the MI parents.  It is not fair for anyone to experience what the traditional parents have since MI inception.  We were opting out of the school with permissive transfers.  That means, each year, we risk our children being at separate elementary schools. 

People have asked me why I care so much.  I cringe at the notion of 'elementary school integration'.  Not only is it not best practice, the early elementary school ages are the most crucial for diagnosing and treating Learning Disabilities!  I have witnessed detrimental scenarios resulting from undiagnosed LD's.  Teenage age recovering heroin addicts- undiagnosed LD.  Teenage suicide- undiagnosed LD.  High School dropouts- undiagnosed LD.  Depression, alcoholism, divorce, job loss.... Yes, I have seen each and more personally.  That is why I care.  There is no research disproving higher chances of children slipping through cracks with elementary school integration.

As to my bitterness.  At the start of my son's 3rd grade year, his social needs aligned with his confidence and self esteem were not being met.  These needs are crucial for all children, however LD children are known to have more issues with low self esteem and are more susceptible to being bullied.  Since the school year was underway, it was not an easy process to transfer.  An administrator told me on the telephone, "JUST TELL HIM TO GET OVER IT".

I wish you all luck with your educational desires, and hope we have more administrative transparency in the future.