Request a meeting with your child's teacher. It is preferable to have important discussions face-to-face rather than over the phone. Come to the meeting prepared with some notes to help you remember the main issues you want to discuss.
Acknowledge that your child has been having academic difficulty this year. Outline possible extenuating circumstances that may have occurred at home. For example, a death, divorce, or serious illness in the family could have a temporary, negative impact on a child's ability to focus in class and his ability to make academic progress.
Ask the teacher if she is aware of research conducted by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) in 2003 and which clearly delineates the negative social and emotional impact on students who fail a grade. Mention how the NASP research has demonstrated failure leads to increased behavior problems and is linked to much higher drop-out rates in high school.
Inform the teacher that the reason you are objecting to the failure recommendation is because NASP has clearly warned that holding a child back a year will result in even lower academic achievement as well as create socio-emotional problems.
Ask the teacher to outline the additional supports and interventions that were given to your child throughout the school year; some schools suggest retention before they have given intensive support to students with learning disabilities. Suggest that increased support in the following year will increase likelihood of success. Promise to arrange additional help at home as well, such as a private tutor if that is possible.
Do not raise your voice or display any anger throughout your meeting. Present the facts and express your concerns. Tell the teacher you will not accept this recommendation and that if she does not reconsider the decision you will be discussing the issue with the school principal.
Ask the teacher to get back to you within a few days with her decision. Call the school and speak again to the teacher if a week goes by without hearing from her. Request a meeting with the principal if the teacher does not get back to you or if she tells you she will not be changing her mind.
Meet with the principal and repeat the reasons you gave to the teacher. Do not raise your voice but remain firm and show your resolve to not give in. Suggest that if they agree to promote your child, you would be willing to sign a waiver stating that the decision to promote your child is being done against the recommendation of school staff.
Inform the principal you will be contacting the school district supervisory officers if they refuse to change their position. Contact the school district and request a meeting or state your case in a formal letter, requesting a response, if it is impossible to arrange a face-to-face meeting.