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The things polarbear mentioned are what really matter.

Does anyone else share my feeling that we are just being told this by people who have most of the money, to keep us quiet?

I just have this sense that I was tricked into a career in public service, into being generous and taking time off to be with my babies as infants, all for "intangible" rewards. I feel that all these warm and fuzzy feeling things are kind of a confidence trick. "You should feel good about helping, not demand money for it." Well where does that leave me? And everyone who says that managed to get money and is comfortable.

When you don't have money, you have no control over your life.

I've got the whole, do nice things, be a good person, do fulfilling stuff, make a nice family thing down. No problem. What I need is cold, hard cash.

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Might the introduction of new resources, possibly free accessible web resources such as Khan Academy or others, help him spark his interest in learning and struggling through material... possibly acquiring study skills and developing the growth mindset would help him to avoid underachievement if he is underachieving, and even qualify for some level of advanced academics.

I think this is the real difference between gifted kids and high-performance potential children. He won't do that. He won't take our lead on this and he's not interested in being advanced. He has taken his label and said he's happy with it.

My own kids are different. They are used to being challenged academically. They do not expect to learn at school, and they know that it's about proving yourself.

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Flexible cluster grouping by readiness and ability for each subject, regardless of chronological age may be a way to address this.

The district is far too standardized to move to that in the short term, BUT I completely agree.

I might check out that book. I appreciate the recommendation. I do think that we have a similar outlook... my depressed outlook about the future in this country (another reason my kids are bilingual) doesn't translate to my opinion of my own child's capacities.

On a positive note, my daughter received a packet of math challenge work she can do over the weekend, and turn in for extra credit! It's 2nd-3rd grade level fraction work. Woot. She's excited about spending some time on it together tomorrow.