Hi helpful group,
DS5, currently in K, has now completed quite comprehensive evaluations through his school and has been identified as "gifted and in need of specially designed instruction." We live in Pennsylvania, where gifted IEPs (GIEPs) are required by law. We're thrilled with the school's response to our son's needs so far - everyone seems excited to work with him and in agreement that he needs serious modifications to the regular curriculum. However, it's a small school and this is the first GIEP they've ever done for a kindergarten student. As parents it is our first experience as well.
Our son is particularly strong in math (>99.9th percentile), but has 99th+ academic skills across the board. His only current accommodation is a one grade acceleration to 1st in math, but he has already passed the end of first grade math test with a 95%. He is intimidated by the idea of being with kids 2 or more years older than he is (and he's physically quite a little guy for his age), so we haven't yet tried to move him up more. We will be doing the IAS to help us consider a full grade skip for next year.
One thing that has been suggested is giving him end-of-unit math tests at the beginning of each new unit and allowing him to test out of units where he already knows the material. This seems reasonable, but I don't have much idea of what he would then do during math time? Does anyone have suggestions there? I don't think the classroom teacher has time to design something specially for him.
What else could/should we suggest or request at the GIEP meeting? The resources available include a gifted support teacher who can pull him out a couple of hours a week, but there is no congregated gifted classroom/program available. Since he will be in the regular classroom for the vast majority of his day, it would be especially helpful to be able to give some suggestions to his regular classroom teacher.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions from those of you who have experience with this.
