Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment anyone do K12 international?

We're considering starting home school full time next year, because nothing else is working. We've tried several private schools and have talked with our local public school. Our daughter just needs to be accelerated one grade at least (with supplement or substitution on the side). The schools completely refuse to do it. I'm so sick of the "chronological" argument. The principal of our local school said yesterday, "I see she's taken a bunch of courses." and shrugged. "But chronologically she should be in the 3rd or 4th grade." Yes. She has been taking CTY courses for several years, middle and high school courses and that warrants a shrug from the principal that sends her back to the 3rd or 4th grade. It's just disheartening, tiring and sad.

If we home school, we are thinking about the K12 international program. Does anyone have experience with this program? They sent us a link to an assessment test for my daughter to take. My daughter started the math portion of the test this past weekend. The intro to the test said "usually takes 1 to 1 1/2 hours". My daughter easily spent 6 hours on the test and didn't even finish it. She put it on hold and was in tears. I called K12 and the rep said (as though it was my daughter's fault) "She must be getting all of the questions right." I told them that I just can't test her like this, because it is torturous. We don't even know how much longer the math test will be and there is a language test to follow this one. The rep very reluctantly forwarded my complaints and my daughter's file to the placement officer and we are still waiting to hear back.
I just think that it doesn't bode well that the rep couldn't understand that 6+ hours was too long for a test and that it was actually inappropriate given my daughter's case. It makes me worry that they don't have enough experience with gifted children.
(Are we going to make it through this???)

I wouldn't worry that one person who answered the phone is clueless. Remember that the Rep on the phone was feeling defensive, and people don't behave at their best under those circumstances. It is a glitch in their system.

Good news is that your next phone call will be with a placement officer, who sounds more like a decision maker.

6 hours! Good Grief! Good for your DD that she was willing to do the 'easy' stuff, that shows great persistience and willingness.

Smiles,
Grinity

Ummm....

well, I can tell you that the assessments in both K12 and Connections are not the greatest for gifties.

My daughter also spends HOURS and HOURS on assessments. (We're with Connections.)

The assessments are very lengthy. I think your concern is a valid one, and your 'read' on the situation is also valid. But if it's any consolation, your experience on the phone is also typical-- and it may not really mean much. The corporate folks are often fairly clueless, we've found. The educational-side people, on the other hand, have generally been pretty good to work with.

I'd still say that you should give it a try-- I'm not sure if it's an option for you, but be sure to look at Connections as well as K12 if you can, because Connections does have some experience with HG students, and their attitude about placement has been fairly flexible, in our experience.