TWINS: THE SCHOOL YEARS

Twins: The School Years is an article from New York Metro Parent. It's notable for including the thoughts of adult twins on the topic of together or apart in school.

Twins Should Always Attend the Same School

Before you judge this editorial from the San Francisco Examiner, be sure to read it. The topic and opinion is important to everyone who struggles with the issue of multiples in school. You don't have to agree with the title to understand why the newspaper took this stand. You just have to agree that the San Francisco public schools should have done a better job placing the twins in question.

Of course, we know this isn't a new issue. We see it here in the Chicago Public Schools.

Twins Should Always Attend the Same School.

Advocating Success

Sometimes you can change a system without a law. Congratulations to Liz Bixby as her persistance really made a difference.

Hi there! I talked to you a long time ago...and figured I better get back to you! I have twin boys that are 8 years old now. They go to Farmingdale Elementary which is Pleasant Plains, IL just outside of Springfield.

My boys had gone to pre-k there at ages 3 and 4 and I was told to put them on to K but wanted to hold them back. Was told there wasn't a way to do pre-k for another year, but could do K 2 years-said no way. So we did private pre-k for a year before returning. Was the best thing ever. Funny thing was those 3 years I had been talking off and on to Mr. Yates about K and how I wanted the boys in the same class. He would always beat around the bush, finally got it out that their policy was seperation. I said well that may work for some but not for my boys, they will be starting next year so be ready for them in the same class. I then got ahold of the NOMOTC and some things from you guys there at twins law and took a huge packet in. Had another sit down 6 months before they would start-with a note from the ped's doc, preschool teacher, etc stating how they should be together and went to work on them. I told both sides of the story. How for some children they shouldn't be in the same classroom. But for my children they do not fit that typing, actually it would be harmful if they were not in the same class.

After my informative meeting and him having time to read things over he called me back in and he had a change of heart. He just had to convince all the higher ups. So he made up a board of twin moms, teachers (one being a twin mom) and officials to monitor twins and we made up a schedule of by 3rd (I think) grade they would be in separate classes but have the same lunch, recess, gym, etc to get ready for middle school when they would be having a couple different classes. The boys were in the same class for K and 1. At the end of 1st I started to wonder how much longer it would last with them in the same class. Blake had wanted to separate but Cullen hadn't. I told them they had to agree. So this year (2nd) they are in separate and seem to be really enjoying it. They come home and enjoy each other's company alot more. When they were in the same class they just had to know that each other were there and ok. Now they see each other at lunch, recess, bus, etc. and that seems to be ok.

I have a few friends that have entered the school after me and have thanked me lots for changing it. I also have friends who come to me all the time for advice on how to deal with their schools. In fact I have one friend who is writing about all this on her thesis. How parents should have a say, which is all I said, we know our kids best, why can't we say what is best?!

Anyway, I just want to say thank you! And let you know Pleasant Plains and New Berlin (where I work at the moment) both small towns by Springfield, allow the parents to have the say.

Liz Bixby

What Does the Research Tell Us

This is a well-written article with lots of interesting links to research about twins in the classroom.

Twins and Classroom Placement:
What Can Parents Learn From the Research?

Ask The Dad parenting advice column: Don't rush to separate twins

Ask The Dad parenting advice column: Don't rush to separate twins

Question

What do I do if my twins panic when they’re separated? The 4-year-olds just started day care, and the teacher puts them in separate rooms. Then they cry and scream until reunited. The teacher tries this every day. Is such separation necessary, and how do I make them comfortable away from each other?

Read his response

School District Policies

We're researching individual school district policies. If your school district has a formal, written policy regarding placement of multiples, please send it to us. You can email Shari at slcs48n1 (at) yahoo.com or post a link to this post.

Thank you for your ongoing help and support.

Placement of Twins in the Problem Solver

This takes the placement of multiples on a completely new path. According to the Chicago Public School district, twins are not considered siblings, so if one receives a good lottery placement, it does not guarantee that his/her sibling will get in.

I know. I'm still scratching my head about that logic too.

Here's the whole story.

No need to split twins for good grades: study

An interesting study done in Amsterdam's VU University.

Their conclusion?

"The choice of separation should be made by teachers, parents and their twin children, based on individual characteristics of a twin pair," the study concluded.

Expert Interview: Patricia Malmstrom

The interesting blog Multiples and More! has an interesting interview with Patricia Malmstrom. Her new book, The Art of Parenting Twins, includes information about all things parents of multiples need to know/consider.

Her explanation about why parents should consider keeping their multiples together in school is simple, yet enlightening. It's very close to the reasoning I gave our school district, so I'm glad to know I was on the right track -- even if I didn't really know it at the time. It's always good to have an expert's opinion on the matter.

Across the Big Pond...

Just as the Twins Law campaigns are gaining steam in various parts of the United States, the issue crossed "the Big Pond." The Guardian today has an online article called Twin Set.

It's interesting to note that the issue parents of multiples face in the U.K. are the same ones we face here. Truly, we are all in this together.

Are twins ill-rewarded for what they teach us?

This is a new study about twins in school. While the study was done in the United Kingdom, the results are applicable anywhere.

Here's my favorite paragraph from the article:

The TAMBA report suggests two other failings in the system: it criticizes the policy of splitting twins up by putting them in different classes without taking parents' wishes into account, and it condemns the inflexibility it claims many local authorities show in refusing to allow parents of premature multiples the chance to hold them back a school year.

Read the entire article at http://www.preventionaction.org/prevention-news/twins-twins/5146

Wonderful Illinois Organization Of Mother Of Twins Clubs Convention

We had a great time at the Illinois Organization Of Mother Of Twins Clubs. It was wonderful to speak with everyone and hear the stories. Some parents are in great school districts. One Mom told me her school district proactively called her to talk about placement for her multiples. Can you imagine?

Other Moms told us horror stories about their struggles to work with the school district.

Interestingly, we received words of encouragement from both types of Moms. Everyone wants to work together to make sure parents are the key deciders in the placement of multiples in schools.

It was great to sit and chat with so many others who completely understand the joys and challenges of raising multiples.

Thank you for making us part of your event.

Another Law?

When I tell people that our school district told us they would separate our twins in preschool without our consent, people are shocked. Most people just assume that parents will be included in any decision regarding their children.

Given the number of people we talk to about flexible placement of their multiples, it is clear that too many elementary schools still think twins should be separated. Why? It's a mystery to us as all the research points to a need for flexible placement.

We know that not all parents want to keep their children together. In our school district, most of the parents want their children in separate classes. We felt strongly that our children would benefit from being together. And, that's the point of our effort, really. Parents should be able to work with the schools to decide what is best.

You might be surprised to learn that we do have a resolution in Illinois. The problem is either it is ignored or school districts ignore it. And, let's face it, a resolution is nice, but it doesn't have any teeth. A law means the school district needs to follow the rules or face the consequences.

What's funny about all this is that having a flexible placement policy costs schools nothing. It's simply a meeting with parents and the principal to determine the best course of action. Even in these difficult economic times, a meeting is free, yet the outcome could make a difference between a child's success in school and his/her difficulties.

We invite you to join us in our effort to educate and legislate. Tell us your story and we'll try to help each other do what is best for our children's educations.