September 15, 2008 Parents fight to allow twins in the same classroom Play video

(Ally Donnelly, NECN) - For decades, many school districts across Massachusetts have routinely separated twins into different classrooms even over parents' objections.

The thinking has been that twins will do better socially and academically on their own, without leaning on a twin. But some parents say that's not always the case and they, not the schools, know what's best for their own children.

Identical twins...Nicholas and Jacob DellaCroce spend almost every minute of their day together, including kindergarten in Peabody, Massachusetts.

Their mom Rachel, along with another mom of twins -- Janna Knight -- has been working to make sure the boys aren't separated -- at least for now.

Rachel DellaCroce “A lot of people say well, everyone starts kindergarten alone, they should too, but the truth of the matter is they didn't start into the world alone.”

The women were instrumental in getting a bill drafted that would give parents of twins and other multiples the last word on whether to keep their kids in the same classroom or split them up.

It’s been approved by the house and senate and is now on the governor's desk.

Janna Knight “A one size fits all policy does not fit for all sets of twins. Decisions on whether they should be together or separate should be made on a case by case basis, looking at what the children's needs are.”

Doctor Stuart Goldman -- a psychiatrist at Children's hospital Boston --- agrees,

but worries that though the bill says schools would still be allowed to make a recommendation.... it doesn't rely on trained professionals heavily enough.

Dr. Goldman “Some parents make great decisions about their children’s' development and are right on target, other parents have their own unique ideas, their own agendas and that makes me somewhat concerned.”

Goldman says the ultimate goal should be to optimize each child's individual growth.

Most twins -- even when identical -- are not exactly the same so one twin may overshadow the other in terms of their friends, in terms of academic achievement and the second twin -- who's in the shadow of his or her sibling may struggle a little more.

DellaCroce says parents across the state have contacted her --- telling of twins who schools insisted be separated only to suffer anxiety and depression.

A number of studies have been done in recent years...some saying separating twins can have adverse affects, others saying the pros outweigh the cons, but none have looked at particularly long term affects -- looking years down the road -- and Dr. Goldman says as twins move out of school and into adulthood, they have to separate some time.