have any of you ever had to hold your child back a grade in school because their reading level was too low? i'm having to hold my daughter back in 3rd grade because they say her reading in a 1st grade level and she flunked science and history because of it. she was in private school for 1st and 2nd grade and didn't have any problems but when she went to public school for 3rd grade now all of a sudden her reading level is 2 grades behind and she's been in tutoring all year and the school said that summer school or even special ed wouldn't help. i just feel like a total failure as a parent and i cried so hard because it breaks my heart that my child isn't where she needs to be.

you shouldnt feel like a failure as your not one. i was held back in first grade, and it was no big of a deal.. give her much help as you can, thats all you can do...

I had my daughter in a Montessori private school and had a similar problem when I got her into public school in 3rd grade. Private doesn't mean good. They never once noticed she had ADD symptoms while at that private school. She wasn't held back, thankfully, but she did need to do remedial work to catch up. The private school taught phonetics, so the kid was behind for REAL spelling.
Maybe see if there's any way to get summer school and/or home tutoring going to get her caught up. On the other hand, there is a lot to be said for maturity, so holding her back will be more of a passing stigma and may actually be in her best interest. Lots of parenting and teaching things to consider here. Whatever happens, try to lift her spirit by not making a huge fuss, by showing her the positives the situation can bring.
Best wishes!!

if i may suggest have her eyes tested by a very good doctor. not the standard stuff either. Ask for a total vision screaning. Some reading problems can be attributed to vision even when the child has 20/20 sight. There are eye motor skills that can be helped with exersises. Also make the school evaluate her, and she should be eligable for an IEP ( individual education program) structured especially for her and her needs. Hang in there, you are doing a good job. Some times its the school systems that let the kids fall through the cracks.

Stop cying, and start investigating!!!!!! Something is not right!!!!!!

the eye thing never even crossed my mind and i wear glasses and so do both of my parents...thank you

Boy that is a hard thing to deal with.Heard about many cases of this.
My dauther did best when we kept School at school! And home life at home.You may want to try that.Kids are like spunges.They suck up all the info they can.If you overload them,This sometimes happens.
Jmo.Good luck

not a problem, my daughter had the same thing.

go to Phonogrampage.com, have her memorize these phonograms this summer, and I mean memorize them so she can write them when you say the sounds! My son just finished first grade where they make them memorize them and he is reading at 3rd grade , almost forth grade level.

the only thing worng, is that the private school obviously was nt teaching up to public school standards.