Originally Posted by thewayweroll
I seek any advice on effective advocacy, best practices for helping my son.
Hopefully not too late for the traditional advocacy materials... ?

The list below contains just a few of the many advocacy how-to resources available free online and accessible to all.
1- Advocacy - Working with your child's school http://www.davidsongifted.org/db/Articles_id_10558.aspx
2- Guidebook - Advocating for Exceptionally Gifted Young People, plus lists of other resources http://www.davidsongifted.org/db/browse_resources_165.aspx
3- Basic educational options for gifted children http://www.davidsongifted.org/db/Articles_id_10270.aspx
4- Choosing the right school for your gifted child http://www.davidsongifted.org/db/Articles_id_10511.aspx

There are also many helpful books, including A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children with Chapter 14 about finding a good educational fit, Academic Advocacy for Gifted Children by Barbara Gilman.

Iowa Acceleration Scale (IAS). http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/iowa_accel_scale.htm

For the immediate situation: To earn a second chance, some schools have accepted a student's essay on what they have learned (from the error of their ways). For example, if he has learned that he would not want to be separated from his friends and he understands that the price of this is exemplary behavior (list several specific positive behaviors), essentially becoming a role model and leader in this area, encouraging others to demonstrate respect. He may also have learned that being presented with an academic/intellectual challenge would help him maintain focus. You may wish to have him write his best heartfelt essay pronto and turn it in tomorrow, possibly multiple copies to teacher, principal, all decision makers. If it works, great. If not, it may become the basis for a college essay, scholarship essay, or book. You may wish to be the coach and think of this as serious DIY PR and "packaging". http://www.amazon.com/What-Schools-Other-Parents-toKnow/dp/0452289521, http://www.amazon.com/What-Colleges-Dont-Other-Parents/dp/0452288541.