Okay, so this is rapidly becoming an issue again for us too. DS's teacher told him today that they are not permitted to go above a certain level. That, for example, third graders stay on level "white" for pretty much the entire year. (she specifically said that to him). Hence why she hasn't been testing him or moving him up - because second grade is suppose to get to and stay at level "double red." So, yes my school's policy appears to be one where they cap at a year ahead. Teacher also gave him some crap about how they "have to make sure he is understanding what he is reading." The woodcock johnson testing my son had recently indicate that anything under a reading grade level of 3rd grade would be too easy for him. His WJ-III and a Wiat subtest have his comprehension in the 95th percentile. As it stands now, I have been sending in books for reading. We had an argument in the beginning of the year wherein I took her head off for punishing my son for reading the books I sent in for him at 100 book challenge. She has noticed and she knows that he's again bringing in books that are not "from the basket." She has not punished DS (b/c she knows I will hit the roof if she does) and she has not said anything to me yet but I fear she plans to say something at our upcoming meeting. What can I say to get the message across that I don't care about their "basket rule" and that the WJ-III and Wiat testing I have tell me what level my son is (not her and her 100 book challenge assessment with it's ceiling) and I am sending in books based on that and his interest level whether like they or not. In a relatively nice but firm way. Otherwise, like Blackcat, I fear the obscenities that may come out of my mouth if I don't have a set response.
