Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy is this too obnoxious?

Thanks for the explanation. You have two things going on that I can really identify with - first, we had no desire to grade-skip our ds, and honestly, for us and for him, it was the best decision - but definitely not ideal. I would make the same choice again today even knowing the areas that ultimately were difficult because he wasn't skipped, so I can understand the desire not to go with a grade skip, and particularly a 2 year grade skip. I also see issues that a 2 year grade skip won't necessarily solve, such as classroom learning pace, and - in this case - grade skipping isn't going to make the school more flexible, so what happens when you still need to do something extra or different for your ds? I suspect the school staff will not be wiling to accommodate.

The second thing I can identify with is being in a small charter school which you have bought into (mentally, not with $), where you've done your best to integrate yourself as the helpful parent etc, and where you believe there should be flexibility to accommodate a gifted student. Your school is sending you a strong signal - they don't want to accommodate. Have you considered simply returning to a different school within the larger school district? We stuck with our charter school for several years thinking that if we just kept advocating, just kept suggesting, just kept trying - we'd get somewhere. We didn't - and what we found at the end of 5th grade was our ds, who'd been primarily silent all those years - absolutely hated his school! As he got older, he not only wasn't being challenged in the classroom, he was seeing me advocate and getting nowhere and it left him feeling that no one at the school cared. When we did switch schools, the difference was like night and day (note - our new school is *not* a gifted school) - but it's a school where teachers appreciate parent input and where students are given differentiated work - and life is just so very much easier for me and so much happier for my ds. Is it ideal? Nope... but it was a good thing for me to let go of the school that was so obviously not willing to work with us.

And like HK, I also wonder why if you're able to consider homeschooling the core academics, you wouldn't consider full time homeschool?

Anyway, it sounds as though sticking with the school you're at isn't going to be easy and your advocating isn't getting you anywhere. Based on that I'd suspect part-time homeschooling wouldn't go over well there either.

I am also curious re why your ds didn't get into the gifted program in your district? Is it a program you wanted him in? Is it something he could test again for? Something you could appeal?

Best wishes,

polarbear

Have you applied to DYS? I went back through your posts and saw that your son took an IQ test and was PG, so I'm assuming he qualifies. Your situation is the perfect example of how the consultants could help advocate for a better situation for your son. They offer to get on the phone during school meetings and share ideas, or send info. If DYS isn't an option, I think the Gifted Development Center offers the same service, albeit for a price. You could also just schedule a phone consult with GDC and get their advice on how to handle the situation.

I think I'm reading from your posts that your son is in a public charter school. It doesn't sound like they're open to thinking outside the box. Can you find another school that would be? I think you should go principal shopping and find a principal who realizes PG kids have needs that are different than typical or even gifted kids.

We actually had really great luck with our principal who had her masters in gifted education. She approved everything we asked for, for our son. We had to pay for it, but it was worth it. I don't think every school in our area would be open to that, but she and the teachers agreed he needed something different than they could offer.

Good luck.

How about getting enrichment OUTSIDE of school for this upcoming year? With a PG kid, I have realized the school can't really help to the level we need help anyway. Look into online options. I am in the same boat here, new to this. I would prefer to keep our son in school as well because of the great things his school (private) offers. Amazing art, music programs etc. Someone else might have ideas of good online educational options.

This is if you feel your child will be OK for another year. Seems he is at least enjoying his friends while in school.