Well, there is a lot of social infrastructure here, so no, those kids don't get left behind. We have systems in place to help them. For example, athletics and things aren't through the schools. You have to pay to participate, BUT for kids from lower income families, it's paid for by the city so everyone gets to participate. Each kid is given so much credit with which to do activities, so one of E's friends did scouting and dance. She didn't have to miss out because they couldn't afford it. And there are special schools for kids who really can't make it in the regular school. My neighbors' girls are bussed to a school 45 minutes away because they are hearing impaired and that's where the school for the hearing impaired is. And my son's school is here in our town, but most of the kids in his school do not live in this town. They are bussed in from other towns because this is where the school for Autism is. There's also a school for kids with learning disabilities like dyslexia. They're very good about making sure everyone succeeds.
But, what I hear from my friends in the states is that kids there are pressured to do well on the standardized tests, and teachers teach to those, and they pile on homework, even for kids in first grade. My kids never had homework until high school. There were resources to practice spelling and geography, but they weren't mandatory and nothing was graded. All school work was done at school. There was really no pressure. The kids know they are learning for a reason, sure, but they also aren't made to feel stupid if they aren't as fast as some other kids. The tests are to see where they might need help and they are met where they are and given whatever resources they need to succeed. My son got therapy and we got coaching for free to help us how to handle Autism. They WANT you to do well and the systems are in place to help. It's not perfect, and some do manage to fall through the cracks, but in general, I'm really glad we live where we do. And actually, my daughter is a perfectionist and has some fear of failure. She put a lot of pressure on herself even when she was in first and 2nd grade. She was terrified of getting less than 100% on any school work, like spelling tests. She panicked when her teacher wanted to give her more difficult math, convinced she wouldn't be able to do it.....her teacher sat down with her and showed her the math and encouraged her to try, and then E knew she could do it. She freaked out when she got an "Exceeds expectations" instead of "Outstanding" on the spelling section of the national benchmark test. She got Outstanding in everything else, but cried because she only got Exceeds Expectations on spelling. Her teachers worked with her on easing the pressure and getting her to not expect so much of herself. She's still very driven, but she understands now that an A- is awesome, too. Both of them were given more advanced material in math and reading in elementary school, and there was also extra instruction for the kids who were behind. Everything is geared toward meeting them where they are and helping them meet their potential. It's not about turning them all into little geniuses, but bringing out what's there.
