Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Stuck in Bad School System

Almost four years ago, we moved to a small town in Colorado. In this state, local control rules and our local school board makes every decision (or usually doesn't do anything).

Teachers are chosen based on friendships - and usually with teachers attending the same church as the principal.

The school system does not want parent input. My daughter is going to high school next year and I was not allowed to help her with her schedule for four years. In fact, all of this was done at school.

We insist on "A"s and that is not difficult for her. She was having migraines (genetic from my husband) and did not put as much work into Geometry (8th grade) as she should have done. We spoke with her teacher. Her teacher told her that we are pressuring her and she does not need to make "A"s. I asked my daughter if anything was said to the Indian girl in the class and my daughter said that everyone knows that Indians are smarter. The teacher would not dare mention this to her parents. This is a high school level class that she received a "B" in and she will be out of the running for valedictorian.

She took a GT trip to Denver to a science museum and the GT teacher (who I really dislike) told them that there may be mention of evolution, but not to listen to it.

I am stuck here and have no other options. My health is poor and I cannot take all this. Honor society and Dual credit courses are chosen based on friendships.

Ugh!

Yuck! I'm guessing, based on what you write, that you're in the southern part of the state or the eastern plains. If, on the off chance, you're up north like me, PM me and let's brainstorm!

Do you have school of choice where you are? Is there only the one high school? How about one of the online options like COVA?

Southeastern - you guessed it. There are no other choices that are less than two hours away. I tried to get her to partial homeschool, but she doesn't want to do it. My health is not good and my husband wants her to finish the school he went to. Basically, my choice doesn't matter because I am not expected to see her graduate anyway.

I'm so sorry. I'll keep thinking and get back to you if I come up with any great ideas.

I am basically just whining. If I try to intervene, it will backfire on me. She placed into college English in seventh grade and she has taken some college courses.

I have seen parents try to advocate and their children are not chosen for Honor Society and other clubs and honors.

You might want to check whether you could you could use the Jeffco online academy. (Jeffco is the western chunk of the Denver metro area and the foothills) Nautigal posted on another thread that her child is being allowed by her school district to use this resource. Check out her/his thread:
http://giftedissues.davidsongifted....xcellent_news_on_e_schoo.html#Post105604