Guidance for Class Placement of Multiple Birth Siblings

Representatives from the state Department of Education, the Alabama Association of School Boards, the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools and the School Superintendents of Alabama collaborated to provide the following guidance for schools making class placement decisions for twins or multiples.

• The parent of multiple birth siblings who are assigned to the same grade level and school may request in writing that the school place the siblings in the same or in separate classrooms.

• The request must be made no later than 5 days before the first day of each school year or 5 days after the first day of attendance if students are enrolled in the school after the school year begins. 

• The school may recommend to the parent the appropriate classroom placement for multiple siblings and may provide professional educational advice to assist the parent with the decision based on the individual needs of the students.

• A school is not required to maintain multiple birth siblings in the same classroom if evidence of poor academic or behavioral performance shows proof that the multiple birth siblings should be separated.