I'm a big supporter of teachers and public schools. Having worked as a guidance counselor for many years, I know how difficult it is to teach kids with a variety of educational challenges when there are few resources and often less support. At the same time, I've had to do some advocating for my children to get the classes they need. My son was recommended for honors Biology, but wasn't put in the class. I was told there was no room, which I found unacceptable. I offered to bring a desk and a chair, but was still told no. As I worked my complaint up the school chain, somehow they found room. Because of that experience, my husband and I are very active in monitoring our kids' classes to insure they're getting what they need.

Yesterday, my 15 year old daughter came home from school upset. She reported that she'd asked her biology teacher if she could recommend her for honors chemistry next year. This wasn't an unreasonable request and in fact, with a 99% in the class, it should have been done automatically. But her teacher apparently tried to talk her out of it, suggesting it might be too much for her. My daughter interpreted the teacher's comments to suggest she wasn't smart enough, and was hurt by it. The teacher asked my daughter if she wouldn't rather have an A in an easier class than a C in a harder class.

I don't think the teacher was trying to hurt my daughter, but I was surprised that she wasn't more encouraging. Teachers fuss all the time about how hard it is to motivate students, and here's one asking to be challenged.

My daugther will have a tough class load next year, but if she thinks she can do it, shouldn't she try?