EmmaL - I will definitely get a copy of the consent form. I checked the paperwork for my daughter and don't have hers either. Very curious.
I am glad you are advising your friend. I'm new to all this, but it seems odd for schools to expect parents review and sign major legal documents on the spot. I am now kicking myself for being so trusting at the last round of meetings. I am definitely not signing anything until I feel it's accurate accurate and I agree with the content!
blackcat - thanks for sharing your daughter's journey. It helps me put my son's situation in context. Of course, I don't know he has a disorder of written expression, but there are parallels.
I'm glad your daughter's school is working for her. I was in gifted programming starting in middle school (not in elementary)--and I don't think I missed much. In middle and high school it was a big help to be with other motivated students. By high school, the kids who had been at the gifted center program were back in the "regular" gifted program with the rest of us. Really no differences that I saw.
I am so glad you mentioned TOWL. I was trying to figure out if there is a test to gauge his written expression level. I bet it's below grade level.
The case manager sounds awesome! I am so glad it worked out for her.
Of course, I heard that the director that oversees special education said he would have to do the same gifted portfolio project as everyone else in the nebulous not-approved-not-denied category because he doesn't have an IEP. It does make sense. But I'm trying to understand if he can use the "interventions" he can use in class for the project. It seems logical that he could.
The parent advocate who advised me suggested exploring a 504 plan vs. an IEP. It may make sense.
A friend of mine went through so many hurdles getting one for her child despite having a recommendation and diagnosis from a pediatric specialist. I can't even find reference to 504 plans our district website.
