The school mismatch was causing my DD significant psychological problems (perfectionism, self-harm, explosive anger, social isolation, etc), so we ended up yanking her out and homeschooling twice, then returning her to public school when she was eligible for something better... gave her the 3rd grade state achievement test at the end of the year, and presented her to the school the following year with a take-her-or-leave-her proposition
Where your DD was at is the slippery slope we are currently headed down. DD has one of those chameleon personalities and is a teacher pleaser so we seem a bit like crazy parents when we talk about what is going on with DD emotionally at home. DD's personalty has led the school to be a bit skeptical of her abilities. So we are considering pulling her and homeschooling like you did for your DD. Did you just give the end of year state test or did you also do additional achievement tests?
The school mismatch was causing my DD significant psychological problems (perfectionism, self-harm, explosive anger, social isolation, etc), so we ended up yanking her out and homeschooling twice, then returning her to public school when she was eligible for something better... gave her the 3rd grade state achievement test at the end of the year, and presented her to the school the following year with a take-her-or-leave-her proposition
Where your DD was at is the slippery slope we are currently headed down. DD has one of those chameleon personalities and is a teacher pleaser so we seem a bit like crazy parents when we talk about what is going on with DD emotionally at home. DD's personalty has led the school to be a bit skeptical of her abilities. So we are considering pulling her and homeschooling like you did for your DD. Did you just give the end of year state test or did you also do additional achievement tests?
Does their process include the Iowa Acceleration Scale?
Unfortunately not. I purchased it myself and DD is a great candidate. I had a conversation with the head of the gifted program (the academics themselves, not the students in the program) for my county and she was familiar with the scale. She said she didn't believe anyone else in the district even knew of the IAS and encouraged me not to share it with my principal until the end of this school year. She is one of the many who encouraged me to "trust the process." It is so frustrating that such a powerful tool is so readily ignored.
Go into your school district and say specifically that you want to see every district policy paper they have in regards to their compliance with the ACCEL law. You are exercising the rights of your child to access what is promised in the ACCEL law and it needs to be done immediately.... Bringing up ACCEL was the magic key to the kingdom.
I have brought up ACCEL to the principal. The whole team are all aware that I know what they *should* be doing, but I just don't believe they have the procedure in place. I tried to be their partner and figure this out together, but was still left in the dark.
Currently the principal has denied the skip based on a SESAT math score which is 2+ SD below what I have on both my WJ's (6 months apart). I actually find it quite funny this was the score that held her back because after we did the WJ's I had decided to homeschool and so DD did EPGY. She finished the 2nd grade curriculum in no time, so such a poor score can only be reflective of the absolute chaos she was tested under. I have asked of they will consider a new math achievement test (WIAT or KETA) that I will pay to have administered. They have already said they will not administer it themselves, even though the school psychologist said she would have no problem doing it. I'd love any other information you would care to share about your experience - nuances of ACCEL that made a difference in your advocacy process.
This advocacy process feels like a three ring circus and I am so thankful for this board for a bit of sanity!
