Case Book Four

Mr. Quiock is meeting with Taia, one of his students. Mr Giorgio is listening in.

MR. QUIOCK: Taia, I am so glad that you have a few minutes to meet with us today, and that you are allowing Mr. Giorgio to listen in.

TAIA: No problem. What do you need, Mr. Quiock?

MR. QUIOCK: At the moment, I need you to listen. We have the results back on the testing that you did. Do you remember when you took the high school placement tests?

TAIA: These last ones, sure. You know this was the second time. The first time I really bombed them. That's one of the reasons I am here. The test results showed that I really needed to stay at Lincoln in the "lay over" program. When I took them a few weeks ago, I decided to concentrate. I can't lay over again. I gotta get to high school.

MR. QUIOCK: You are right. You have really showed that you can do remarkable things when you concentrate. The test results show that you are really a very high achiever in a couple of areas, such as math and science facts. The interpretation of the scoring of your test says that you are very analytic in your thinking, and very capable of doing advanced, higher level studies. In fact, students who score like you do typically take advanced classes in high school. Taquia, these test results say you are very, very smart! You ought to start considering yourself as gifted!

TAIA: Shh, Mr. Quiock, not so loud and animated. You aren't going to tell anyone are you? Mr. Giorgio, you gotta swear to secrecy on this one, too. No one should consider me smart. Okay?

MR. QUIOCK: Taia, I don't understand. Please, if you are comfortable, tell me why you don't want anyone to know.

TAIA: Expectations. Big expectations. The school will expect me to work, take harder classes. My parents. Gosh, do I have to explain this?

MR. QUIOCK: Only if you are comfortable. You know, I can not help unless I know what you mean.

TAIA: My parents fight over me all the time. My dad thinks an eighth grade education is more than enough. He wants me to work at his shop full time. Right now I do there after school and work until 10 at night, and work weekends. My mom has fought to keep me in school. I really wanted to do well enough on the test so that I could go to high school, but not well enough that now my mom will want me or expect me to go further. Dad and mom will really fight over this one. Please, promise me we won't tell them. Please.

MR. QUIOCK: Taia, I can't promise that. They do get a copy of these test results in the mail. I was thinking that I could meet with them and explain the results, and the options that this opens for you.

TAIA: You don't get it Mr. Quiock. I don't have options. I have to work in my dad's shop. I have to contribute to the family. Education is not going to help me do my job there. I already know how to do the job there. Tell me what you would say to my parents.

Teacher notes:

• A teacher should always prepare for a meeting with parents. Understanding the cultural background of parents is important. However, you should not assume that anyone totally practices or adheres to the expectations from their cultural backgrounds. Once you know and respect the individual expectations that parents have you can present the school culture's expectations and requirements and obtain buy-in to them through any mutual cultural links.