Learning Style
Much emphasis has been focused on matching students with teachers based on learning/teaching styles. In many schools, the staff provides an excellent variety of teaching styles and personalities that meet the needs of a wide range of students. Due to genetic compatibility, multiples often have similar learning styles and aptitudes and they deserve to be matched with a teacher that will provide them the best possible educational experience. And often, especially in smaller elementary schools, there is only one teacher that makes that match. To split the multiples between classrooms would deny one of the children an optimal learning environment.
Educators tend to be very sensitive about this issue, and when addressing it, parents should recognize that teachers -- like children -- should never be classified as "bad" or "good." Rather teachers possess different styles and qualifications, and matching those characteristics with the needs of individual children makes every classroom more productive.
Convenience
Some may feel that making a decision based on convenience is selfish, foolish or maybe even hypocritical, since parents accuse educators of wanting to separate multiples simply because it's easier. But no one can deny the benefits generated by parents who are wholly committed to and involved in their childrens' education. Volunteering in the classroom or in the school, reviewing homework assignments, communicating regularly with teachers, chaperoning field trips, donating supplies ... parents of multiples can contribute a great deal more when their efforts are focused on one class, rather than two, three or more.
In some situations, particularly in half-day preschool or kindergarten programs, there is only one available class. Requiring separation would mean transporting one multiple to the morning session and one to the afternoon, or sending one child to attend a two-day session, while the other attended three days. Obviously the benefits of convenience should be considered.
