Chapter 7 - Academic Remediation of Internationally Adopted Children

Summary

Schooling presents particular difficulties for IA children: they are not ready for this experience from many perspectives and are so emotionally fragile that they are traumatized when pushed by expectations beyond their reach. Educational deprivation in children adopted at school age raises the issue of “academic readiness” for age-appropriate school placement after adoption. The inappropriate schooling after adoption contributes to educational neglect and further traumatization of adoptees. Damaging misconceptions about IA children in school are no less than a traumatic component in the adopted child's adjustment. Readiness for school experience is one of the key issues in international adoption. This chapter discusses the academic placement of IA children and the concept of bidirectionality; the issue of retention vs. special education; mainstream education vs. remedial education for IA children; and major evidence-based remedial academic methodologies proven to be successful with international adoptees in math, reading, and writing. Academic remediation is needed for IA students who lack basic learning skills and academic knowledge to achieve expected competencies for continuation in the mainstream educational process. Although the majority of IA children need remedial instruction, a significant minority of IA children, who have educational handicapping conditions, need special education placement instructions and services, classroom accommodations, and test modifications.