Hello everyone,
New here and looking for 2e advice from this wise community. I suspect my 11yo son may have issues with his handwriting (potentially dysgraphia). We have an open "child study" through the school. The district's occupational therapist is performing an initial observation as a next step.
He also just scored within the parameters for gifted programming at his school--but was declined services.
Actually, they are putting him on a "watchlist" and want him to do a "portfolio project." The reason? His OLSAT subtest scores didn't line up with his content-specific achievement test scores (SOLs and others).
The school district's gifted program is very new (about a year old). They have just started formally assessing all third-graders--but he is in fifth grade. I had to do a parent referral for gifted screening.
The school district identifies gifted students only in the specific content areas of reading and math. He scored a 97 on the OLSAT verbal subtest, but has been a consistent on-grade level "B" student in literacy (until this year, when he went up a full grade level and is getting A's). And he passed the reading SOLs, but his scores weren't great.
His OLSAT nonverbal score was 81, but his math SOL was "advanced." And he had a perfect score on his history SOL (my son = history nerd).
FYI, the system's OLSAT cutoff for further evaluation is 90 for each subtest. From what I understand, they view the OLSAT as a first step and are trying to "cast a wide net."
The gifted specialist called me yesterday to tell me about the identification committee meeting. She started out saying that they liked to see the achievement scores line up with the OLSAT scores and came to the conclusion that he was being effectively served in the regular classroom.
I told her about the "child study" process--and she said it was mentioned in passing, but not discussed by the committee. After some discussion, she said they viewed my son as an "enigma" and wanted "more data"--hence the "portfolio project" concept.
I originally said "OK" to the "portfolio" idea, but sent her an email with a bunch of questions today. I need more information to figure out if that is the right path for him, right now.
I could also appeal the decision. I don't think I could engage any outside testing before an appeal meeting (maybe). I do think there may be enough that comes out of our next child study review meeting (January 4) that explains the gap in achievement vs. aptitude scores.
And I am getting the sense that there is no specific 2e policy or expertise within the district. Actually, I asked the gifted specialist that specifically today.
On a frustrating (somewhat) side note: the administrator who chaired the child study was part of the gifted identification committee. And I had requested the child study months ago, but there was an internal miscommunication about process (due to a complete change of administration at the school this year) and the school dropped the ball.
I will add that in the initial child study meeting, the OT had reviewed his work samples and noticed some handwriting problems. She recommended he use adaptive paper with wider lines and yellow highlights. She also noted that when he has to fill in a blank space on a worksheet that "he doesn't know what to do with it." Her plan was to review more work samples and observe his writing process and come back with more specific recommendations in January.
The message I came away with was: "we don't know what to do here." And there seemed to be no understanding that the score discrepancy could be indicative of a 2e issue.
So, there's more I could say. I'm not sure quite where to go from here. I am sure I have some specific questions, but would welcome any thoughts or questions.
Thanks in advance to all who read and share perspectives.
