I also think that it's important to keep in mind that the schools are under no obligation to provide the kinds of modifications that you might want for your child.
I agree with this, but only to the extent that they make a concerted effort. One of the things I have learned very clearly is that schools simply do not run into gifted children as often as they run into children who are struggling academically. Give them a child who cannot pass a class and they can pull action plan 1,2 or 3 from a drawer. Give them a child who tests out of the 4th grade in Kindergarten and the first thing they may well tell you is the location of the nearest $$$$ gifted private school in the area.
I think schools are under and obligation to tend to children they receive at all ends of the spectrum to the extent they have the resources. I do know that teachers have guidelines, curriculum plans and policies that they may not like but often have to follow. Schools may not have gifted specialists and they aren't going to hire one just for Johnny. But when they DO have the programs, teachers and classes, I selfishly expect them to WORK to put together a plan that can accomodate the children who need it. We all make compromises, parents and schools, and in the end we keep an eye on the best interest of the child.
When our children came to the school, the school had no protocol for acceleration, grade wise or subject. We were the guinea pigs. If we had simply said that's ok, she can just sit here and be bored to tears, the school would have never adopted the formal policy and protocols they have now. It only takes on parent and one kid. Never forget that!
