Multiples in school – together or not?
Two educational concerns that will face parents in the raising of their multiples is whether or not they should be together in the same class or separated, and which type of placement would benefit each child’s personal development. In some schools there may be enough classes of the same grade to facilitate each child being in separate classes. However, it is not unusual for some schools or school boards to have a policy that all multiples must be separated; or that all multiples must be together.
ICOMBO believes decisions about classroom placement of multiples should be made annually, on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with the parents of the children concerned and the children themselves. Just as each child is unique, each set of multiples is unique. Some multiples thrive in separate classes; others in the same class. Similarly, what works for a given set of multiples one year might not work the next year.
Therefore, ICOMBO believes that blanket policies on this issue – either for separate or same-class placement – are inappropriate.
Read ICOMBO’s position statement on schooling of multiples here.
“It is important to assess each child’s development and needs from year to year. To have a firm policy of separation or not denies the individual growth of each child and how their bond may or may not affect their ability to concentrate and learn. This is why ICOMBO is asking our members to reach out to decision-makers and promote the resources we have available to help when making these crucial decisions.”
Monica Rankin, B.Sc., Grad Dip.Ed., ICOMBO Past Chair
“The most recent research on the placement of multiples in school states that the best policy is a flexible policy, where the needs of each child are evaluated prior to making the placement decision. It is also important to re-evaluate the needs of same-age siblings if their educational needs are not being met, and not waiting until the following academic year.”
John Mascazine, Ph.D., Assoc Professor of Education, Ohio Dominican University
Recognising the importance of this topic, ICOMBO conducted a research study from 2018 to 2019, collecting data from almost 3,000 parents of multiples, from over 18 countries.
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