About a month ago, I filled out a recommendation letter for a student of mine to attend an all girls magnet school next year. Since then, this student's quality of work and grades have gone downhill. She doesn't complete assignments that are classwork or homework. When she doesn't feel like answering a question, she puts a question mark on the blank. The quality of work I'm getting out of her is NOT magnet school material. This letter of recommendation is already at the school. Should I contact the magnet school about this student's declining performance? I feel as though it is my responsibility to do something since I recommended her at a time that she was doing her best and now she isn't? Help!
Have you talked to the student already about her drop in performance? I would tell her what you have noticed and see what she has to say about it. Then discuss with her how you know how important it is for her to go to the new school, but the drop in her performance is not what they want in a student there. I assume since you felt that you could recommend her in the first place that she has the ability to perform at the new school's level so make sure you tell her that as well. This may inspire her to begin performing at her previous level once again, or it will give you some insight about what is happening in her life that is causing the sudden drop and therefore you may be able to assist her (something could be happening at home, maybe she doesn't want to go to the new school so she is sabotaging herself, etc.). I would definitely try to work with her before alerting the new school about your concerns.
I have talked to this student about her performance issues. When I ask her "what's up?" she doesn't have an answer. I have previously talked with her about what this new school expects and is looking for in their students. I see her around her friends and I'm sure she is caving into peer pressure and doesn't want to go to the new school. She cares very much about what the other girls in 5th grade think of her. I believe she is sabotaging her work so she doesn't get into this school. Her mother desperately wants her in this school. I think that is a big part of the problem....mom wants her there, she doesn't want to be there. I'm not having another parent conference with this parent. I've had 6 already in 2010 about this school issue and her lagging performance in the classroom. It sounds selfish, but I don't want my good reputation with recommending quality students to this school ruined over this one student.
Your letter was dated, right?? When they get her transcripts, they'll see that her grades took a nosedive after you wrote the letter, and they'll be able to connect the dots themselves. I wouldn't go out of my way to contact them unless that's the normal policy in your building. But I think I would mention the possibility to her. Also, we always tell our incoming freshman: we will NOT accept you unless you graduate from 8th grade... no "Senioritis" allowed.
Why don't you call the magnet program and ask the admissions person what they think? We have several middle school magnets that our students apply to, and sadly at least a couple students I've recommended have either flaked right at the beginning of the program or have gotten kicked out due to behavior or poor academics. I'm sure this is an issue they've dealt with before and they can't blame you for a change in your student's performance... but for both your sake and your student's, the magnet might be able to give you some helpful feedback about the impact of the academic changes you've seen. You don't want to squeal immediately and take away the chance for this student to get her act together by being in a potentially more supportive school environment.
I think this is a life-choice issue, not an educational issue per se. While it's perfectly legitimate to open doors for a promising student, I'm not sure I see where it's appropriate to coerce them into making the 'right' choice, or to jump the gun and make the 'wrong' choice for them. Let it work itself it out.
