Jack?

Hi Amy EJ,
I don't want to push you or anything, as schools really don't always turn out to be like they say and all... but thanks for sharing that image of how school 'could' be.

((electic sparks from drooling on keyboard))
((sigh)) If this school was availible without having to move, DS would be there right now!

Grinity

Hey MON,
Don't forget to test big brother! (If you can afford it.) I say: Test one, test them all!

And about 70% of folks who take my advice are amazed and think I have special psychic powers. Hee Hee.

Are you going to be ok with the money part for testing both? Will you be able to find a tester who is exerienced with gifted kids?


Some kids are more intense- but that doesn't mean that the efforts you make are not acutally helping, KWIM?

Smiles and Welcome,
Grinity

Hi MON! I told you you'd like it here - lots of great people! (it's doodlebug from SENG)

I think I've already said, on another forum, that you should test if the testing will answer specific questions you have about your child. And it sounds like you have questions.

We did IQ, achievement and out of level testing. I think that the out of level testing is what really got the school's attention, even more than the IQ score or 98-99th% achievement scores. When you can document that your "still not in K" child is able to do some of the work that is expected of "end of the year high achieving first graders" (the description of the test that was used)it really shows that they should skip K! Perhaps that would help your school's staff really see just where your daughter is educationally.

Glad you came over!

Welcome MON!

I'm not able to offer the kind of personal advocacy experience you need. However, it sounds like you're feeling low and that's something I can relate to. Please know you're more than welcome to vent here. It's nice to have people, who are removed from the situation, contribute different perspectives. As someone who researches the heck out of something, before making a decision, I appreciate this.

If it helps to cheer you up -- I'm also a painstakingly slow eater and reader. + I like to put french fries in bean burritos and dip it in BBQ sauce.

I understand questioning your perception of your child's abilities (i.e. is he/she really that smart?), but I'm willing to bet your gut instinct is right about your child. Sometimes you have to turn down the background noise >>"Those parents are sure of themselves, and they don't see my kid as all that special."<<

I'm also sorry that you may have to gear yourself up for an advocacy challenge. This is where others here can really help (e.g. brainstorm questions, try a dry-run of your advocacy plan/speech, etc.).

Best Wishes!
Ann

No wonder you hate facing this! Sounds dismal! Is this a public school or a private one?

My feeling is that it's your job to keep the school informed of your daughter's emotional state, and their job to figure out some solutions. Obviously go to the classroom teacher first, but my guess is that you'll have to go higher right away!

Best Wishes,
Grinity

Ann's right. Use this forum and the wise and experienced people as thoroughly as you can. Write something up, gather input here, and then practice so you sound like you are more confident than you feel. School adminstrators smell insecurity and pounce on it!

Great help here!

MoN,
Welcome

Good to hear that your persistance (Not nagging) paid off on the math. I understand your feelings of whether your child is really THAT gifted and needs the special treatment or if your are just being pushy. I'm there myself on any given day. Even with the private test results, they are still not a clear cut answer to our question, but are a great place to start.

I really liked the idea of having DS make a list of his ideas and feelings to take to my next school meeting. It is coming up in about 3 weeks. I can already feel my anxiety levels rising and my stuttering getting worse...

Again welcome!

Congratulations MoN,
A Math adjustment after an email? Do you know how lucky you are? Congradulations!

I'm so praying that you get a little chance to enjoy the peace and coast, but I will reccomend that you sign your children, (both) up for IQ testing. Compared to the unusually gifted kids, there are lots of moderatly gifted kids and tons of bright ones - and your daughter's personality is such that it really really matters to her that you and the school get it right. So - use your period of calm to scrape those pennies together and get an appointment with a tester. Sure, theoretically, if the school is flexable enough, you don't need testing, but I think that there is a good chance that you will be able to move forward more comfortably as a parent after testing than without it!

If you want, send me a Private Message about where you live, and I'll see if I have 'heard good things' about any private testers near you.

Much Love and Luck,
Grinity