Resources to Help Parents Support Their Case for Placing Twins in the Same Classroom

For parents dealing with schools that want to place twins in separate classrooms, they can cite these studies on twins that show the benefits of keeping twins together, including the Tully Report, and letters from legislators. Parents who are unsure of whether to separate or keep twins in class can loosely follow the guidelines provided by the New York Association of School Psychologists.

When schools and parents have differing views on whether to separate or keep twins in the same classroom, there may not be an easy solution. If a school is persistent about separating twins or multiples in the classroom while parents feel the opposite, parents may feel that there is little to nothing they can do.

According to TwinsLaw.com, a nonprofit dedicated to working across the U.S. to rid of blanket policies that place twins in separate classrooms regardless of preference, parents should work to convince school officials that keeping their twins in the same classroom would not only be beneficial, but would be best for the twins’ development in the long run.

In negotiating with a school about keeping their twins or multiples in the same classroom, parents can cite several studies to help bolster the argument that there is evidence for some twins to remain in the same classroom, making it the wise—and informed—decision.

Guidelines

Studies and Legislation

The Tully Report: ‘What Effect Does Classroom Placement Separation Have on Twins’ Behavior, Progress at School and Reading Abilities?’ (pdf)
The Effects of Twin Separation in Primary School (pdf)
ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education: ‘Twins in School: What Teachers Should Know’ (pdf)
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
“No Child Left Behind puts a special emphasis on implementing educational programs and practices that have been clearly demosntrated to be effective through rigorous scientific research.”

Letters to the Legislators from Dr. Segal, Dr. John Mascazine, and Susan Alt

Learn more:

How to Advocate for Keeping Your Multiples in the Same Class—and When to Know the ‘Right’ Time to Separate
The reason for separating twins, in most situations, is simply because outsiders believe this is the best way for each twin or multiple, to develop individual personalities and to be independent from one another. While it is important for each twin to develop individually, forcing twins to separate at too early an age can have harmful, sometimes lasting, effects.

Twins: The School Years
Christina Baglivi Tinglof, mother of three (including twin boys) and author of Parenting School-Age Twins and Multiples, says “the number one cause of conflict between parents of multiples and school administrators” is whether to allow twins to be placed in the same class for kindergarten.