My son is taller than average and has been since kindergarten. I have found that expectations were higher for him than other children even if he was younger. This was detrimental to him as he also has ADHD and has been made to feel "stupid". So it isn't always easier for larger boys- even some parents didn't want their children playing with him because he was too big (and the perception was too old).

I teach at one of the low-performing schools that Dr. Hairston has criticized. Our student population is made up of a large number of students with attendance problems, single-parenthomes, large percentage of free and reduced lunches. Don't tell me that those factors don't affect student performance. Teachers and administrators can only do so much. ISince school began, not a day has gone by that I have not had a schedule change to deal with. About three days into the quarter, two of my five classes were totally switched around because of our receipt of the HSA scores. Someone decided students should be grouped based on how they did in English (my subject area.) Then there was another major reorganization as students had their schedules switched because they failed the biology HSA and needed to be grouped for that. I already had three preparations and then I was told that I would have a fourth preparation because my last period class would be an HSA remediated group. Schedule additions continued to be made as parents/guardians get around to enrolling their children in school. I got two new students today. Interims are due next Wednesday and we have been told that this had better not be the first time parents are hearing from us. I gave grade reports two weeks into the quarter but have been unable to follow up with those and have no idea how I will figure grades for students who have barely attended my class. Needless to say, this kind of confusion cannot be good for children who already have limited security in their lives. When the politicians and others point fingers at those in my profession for the failure of American education, I have to ask why society isn't making needed changes to help students like mine. Teachers need to be given a reasonable work load, extra time and resources to help children who need it most. We can't all be measured by the same yardstick; our experiences are totally different. Needless to say, I feel betrayed by the leader who should have defended me.