So my daughter (in 2nd grade) came home yesterday and she was pretty upset. She said the teacher took away her science test today for cheating. So I asked point blank if she did cheat and she said no. I then look in her folder and see a note in red ink saying "Caught cheating on science test. We have spent 2 days in class studying this material".
First, I'm not sure if my daughter was actually cheating. As her mother, I want to believe her but I know she does struggle in school and I can see her feeling the need to cheat to make a better grade. They send her work home and allow students to correct any papers lower than a 70 for a score of 70 to maintain a passing grade. Each time I get her low grades, it's a misunderstanding issue. She just needs things explained to her sometimes. I know that is not possible in a class of 20-30 kids so I don't fault the teacher for that.
Also this teacher is actually a semi-permanent sub. The usual teacher has been on maternity leave since before school started and will be back Oct. 2nd.
I feel this sub is kind of going through the motions of teaching and not actually getting it to sink in. When I went to the open house she even said that she just goes by another teacher's lesson plan and then deferred me to that teacher. I also get the feeling that she has pegged my daughter as a "problem child" because she has trouble focusing in class. She had this same issue last year and that teacher was able to work with her. Again, I know that is not always an option for teachers.
I really want to contact this sub because it really upset my daughter; however, I know she will be leaving in less than 2 weeks and then I will make an attempt to meet and speak with the teacher.
My question is: is it worth it to try and set a conference time with this sub or just let it blow over? I would let it go but I could tell this really upset my daughter and I just want to hear the sub's point of view. I also wonder if there is anything I can do for my daughter's issues on focusing. I'm weary of ADD/ADHD medication because I had to take them when I was younger and hated it.
TIA for any advice