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    Joined: Nov 2010
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    That is my feeling as well, that they are trying to scare us. I posted another thread that we have a meeting Thursday. I am really hoping they would at least do the math acceleration(even though they told us no before). I was also thinking of asking if they could start putting her in first now for math/reading and then the 2nd skip wouldn't have these so called "gaps". My dh feels they just don't want to grade skip one b/c then they will have the headache of dealing with more parents who want one and the testing/meetings etc that would come with that. At the end of the day, that is their job and shouldn't hinder what is best for my dd.

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    Originally Posted by landofthelost
    My dh feels they just don't want to grade skip one b/c then they will have the headache of dealing with more parents who want one and the testing/meetings etc that would come with that. At the end of the day, that is their job and shouldn't hinder what is best for my dd.
    That's certainly a reasonable thought as to why they are dragging feet here. Perhaps if you paid for outside IQ testing they might be more willing (?). I think that our school system didn't worry a ton about other parents coming and saying that our dd was skipped so why wasn't theirs b/c we had a ton of data including IQ scores that most of the other kids didn't have. It was easier to say that this one child had different needs and more data to support it. I wonder if they worry that all parents with kids who score well on one achievement test will start beating down the doors asking for grade skips. Of course, I can't imagine doing that if it wasn't going to work out well for my kid!

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    Originally Posted by Grinity
    Originally Posted by landofthelost
    She was against any testing b/c she feels she is too young to do them. She did know about IAS and said they do use it as a way to evaluate children for the gifted program in 3rd grade and that again ds was too young for that evaluation.
    If you can get your hands on a copy of the IAS manual and read through it, I think that might be helpful. Perhaps ask the curriculum specialist. Certianly send and email thanking her for her time and 'following up.' Here is a possible way to 'ask the right question' that might help get the ball rolling. Weirdly, if a key player is 'against acceleration' then they will act like it's impossible, right up to the minute before they change their mind. Then it was all their idea. It's a good time to take a deep breath.

    Dear So and So,
    I'm so looking forward to the next meeting, and I'm so pleased that you are clear that my child needs more than what she is currently getting. I had a few parts that I think I could have misunderstood, perhaps you could clear them up before the meeting.
    1) You mentioned that my child is too young to use the IAS, is that correct? If so, can you show me where the Manual shows that he is too young?
    2) You mentioned that my child is too young to benifit from testing, is that correct? If so, which tests do you typically use, and can you explain in more detail this idea?

    You mention that of course gaps can be detrimental to a child. On the other hand, there is also possible detriment to a child's developing work ethic and love of learning by not providing a good fit educational environment that is much more difficult to remedite than Algebra. My spouse and I are perfectly willing to sign a paper that we will be responsible for any problem that gaps cause our child.

    The positive effects of grade skips have been well documented (see http://www.accelerationinstitute.org/Resources/Policy_Guidelines/
    and
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Nation_Deceived

    and that we should be sure not to take any workable alternative off the table without carefully studying our child's educational needs.

    Thanks again for your attention and caring,
    .....


    Can you go to the meeting. You are amazing at the way you word these things!! smile Thanks everyone. All of this has been keeping me up at night(well that and my 4 month old) and when I come here it makes things much better. I know we will get through this.

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    Originally Posted by Cricket2
    [quote=landofthelost] . Perhaps if you paid for outside IQ testing they might be more willing (?). I think that our school system didn't worry a ton about other parents coming and saying that our dd was skipped so why wasn't theirs b/c we had a ton of data including IQ scores that most of the other kids didn't have. It was easier to say that this one child had different needs and more data to support it. I wonder if they worry that all parents with kids who score well on one achievement test will start beating down the doors asking for grade skips. Of course, I can't imagine doing that if it wasn't going to work out well for my kid!

    I have considered this. The one issue is really the money. From what I have seen it is 1200-1800/ We did pay to have her tested through Northwestern's CTD for their Saturday enrichment. I did give them those results(they asked to see them) and told them I would give them her end of session evaluation. Just between my ds4 preschool tuition, the extra activities with dd6 and my new little man money is tighter than usual. I was hoping we could possibly hold off b/c we can use that money for CTD summer program, but we may have to do the testing. I will ask at the meeting if they will even take those results. The curriculum director seems to think she is too little for their test, so I wonder if they feel she is too little for them all. If anyone has any good recomendations for testing in the chicagoland area that they have used that would be great. CTD has a person they use, but would be open to other suggestions.

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    We were in a similar spot three years ago -- ds was even taking Saturday classes at CTD, we lived in Evanston! My ds-then-5 had even higher MAP scores, and his school flat-out denied a skip. Wouldn't do it. We had him privately tested and they blew off the results.

    It was beyond frustrating, and we ended up moving him to one of the massively over-priced private GT schools in the area (which we really can't afford).

    If I had it to do over again, I'd have gone above the principal's head when it became clear I wasn't getting anywhere with her. She was a brick wall.

    There is some truth to the idea that if you skip her, you still want her to be top of the class in the *new* grade. Looking at her scores, I think she'd probably be well-placed in second grade next year.

    If you feel a skip would be best for her, stick to your guns, and don't be afraid to escalate! I know that's not a ton of help, but I took the easy way out of the situation. :-/


    Mia
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    Originally Posted by Mia
    We were in a similar spot three years ago -- ds was even taking Saturday classes at CTD, we lived in Evanston! My ds-then-5 had even higher MAP scores, and his school flat-out denied a skip. Wouldn't do it. We had him privately tested and they blew off the results.

    It was beyond frustrating, and we ended up moving him to one of the massively over-priced private GT schools in the area (which we really can't afford).

    If I had it to do over again, I'd have gone above the principal's head when it became clear I wasn't getting anywhere with her. She was a brick wall.

    There is some truth to the idea that if you skip her, you still want her to be top of the class in the *new* grade. Looking at her scores, I think she'd probably be well-placed in second grade next year.

    If you feel a skip would be best for her, stick to your guns, and don't be afraid to escalate! I know that's not a ton of help, but I took the easy way out of the situation. :-/


    I wish we could do a private school. We can't get any aid and don't have enough income to cover it. Even if I went back to work the money I'd pay in daycare for the younger two we'd be in the hole frown

    We moved to this area for the good schools and pay really high property taxes. I'd move to a smaller house, but with the economy tanking and the housing market our house has lost too mcuh value. We'd lose everything we put into it, so we have no choice really. I am just going to have to persistent. Like I've said before I'd be open to enrichment, but they were already supposed to be doing it and it hasn't been successful.

    This is our first session at CTD. We take them at the Naperville location(it is a 45 minute drive to get there, but still the closest location). How did you like it? My dd has really been enjoying it. We just got the dates for the spring session and I think it is going to overlap with her soccer seaspm so sadly we won't be able to do it. It looks like we can do a week of the summer program though instead.

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    hi.. I'm in Schaumburg.. I am going to push the school to test ds (5yrs) before he starts kindergarten. I am hoping they place him into 1st grade. DD (7) just took the CogNat tests and I am hoping they will give her the wisc this year instead of next. I cant afford the tests privately as I was just laid off last month.

    Last edited by frannieandejsmom; 02/05/11 02:10 PM.
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    Mia Offline
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    My 8yo took a few CTD Saturday classes as a 5-6yo ... he didn't love them, but he did enjoy them. It was something to remind him that he really *did* enjoy math, because school was doing a great job of quashing his natural curiosity and ability!

    Like I say, I'm not happy he's at the private school -- it's a gazillion times better than the public school he was at, but we've since moved, and I feel like I could have done a better job advocating. We've since moved from that district, and I wonder what we could do with the public schools where we are now ... the school he's at now, while much much better, is still not really designed for kids like my ds, so I'm feeling pretty gypped! Even with the max amount of financial aid they offer and splitting it between two families (my ex-h and I share the cost), it's still hard. :-(

    Good luck! I hope you're able to work something out.


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    Originally Posted by landofthelost
    Can you go to the meeting. You are amazing at the way you word these things!! smile Thanks everyone. All of this has been keeping me up at night(well that and my 4 month old) and when I come here it makes things much better. I know we will get through this.
    So glad you feel better now. I wish I could come, but most likely I'm pretty far away. If you can bring a 'parent advocate' (either paid or a friend faking it in a suit) to listen and take notes, that is ideal, but either way - it is true that you will get through this.
    Love and More Love,
    Grinity


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    They changed the meeting until next Thursday. They are really starting to annoy me.

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