Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Advocacy for subject acceleration

How would you advocate for subject acceleration when the school is very dismissive. I am trying to get DS subject accelerated by a grade in Math. He is currently in 4th Grade, working with a tutor on the AOPS Pre Algebra book. His tutor says he is not struggling with it at all. His Explore test results made the DYS cut off, his latest NWEA MAP scores for Math was 249(he has consistently been in the 99% all 3 times they tested). I wrote all this up and more (Like his WISC PRI was in the 99% and WJ III math scores were very high etc.) and the school replies after days and a reminder from me that they are sure DS will be placed in the "advanced" class in 5th grade which basically means more worksheets on the same topics. They use Saxon math at school and supplement the "Advanced class" with worksheets from various websites. This year has just been a review for DS and has not complained too much because he is getting used to this new school. I don't think he can stand another year of reviewing things he already knows.
I have insisted on a meeting next week but am at a loss as to what I can talk about except repeat what I have already written. All the details were in that email and I have been very polite and appreciative of the school. Both the psychs who tested him and his tutor who is a math professor have recommended a compacted/accelerated curriculum for him.

It sounds like the school can't offer him anything. Why not instead try to convince them to let him skip their Math classes entirely, and instead homeschool in Math with AoPS. You'll need to figure out how he can get credit for his progress.

Does your school have a gifted specialist? if so, perhaps he or she can help advocate. If not, try to get as much data as you can that supports the change you want for your ds. Hoagies Gifted has a couple of articles on why acceleration is necessary as does DYS. When you go in to speak to the principal, have your folder with all the information: above-level test scores, IQ, research, etc, and ask he or she to do an Iowa Acceleration Scale with you. (They should be familiar with this, but by the sounds of it they may not be.)

Thank you for your responses it makes me feel better about this. The school does have a person who is supposed to handle the academic placement of students but he does not seem to really know when acceleration is provided or how. He seems more invested in students that are struggling.
I was hoping he would be allowed to atleast attend 6th grade math classes instead of 5th and get credit for it.
If they don't agree to it I will ask for him to do independent study as suggested above. I was thinking he can take the module tests with his grade. It does not really serve any purpose except for grades. The school honors kids with straight A's each semester and DS likes getting the certificate too. I am more worried about when he will be placed in a class that fits his level. He will be done with AOPS Pre Algeba by the end of this year. We will certainly not stop his tutoring sessions just because of the widening gap between school and his level. One of his teachers seems responsive I am hoping to talk to him before the meeting with the coordinator.
Have made a copy of all the reports and materials to hand it to the school, hopefully they are receptive.
MON I wasn't aware of that Saxon study - its a good thing DS already has a tutor working with him On Pre-Algebra eh ? ;-)

We do essentially independent study with AoPS. My son (5th grade) still has to take the tests in regular math, which is a breeze, but he's allowed to work on AoPS when the rest of the class does their math. The teacher will help my son if he gets stumped. I think it's an ideal situation. AoPS is much more rigorous that what they'll be teaching in a regular 6th grade class, so if your son is already doing it, I would ask to continue.

Update : We are really pleased with the outcome of our meeting :-).
I met with the school last week. The academic placement person was giving us the usual talk about how DS will be in the advanced class and how the school makes sure that they are challenged. His tone changed when he looked at the Explore scores and he was completely convinced when he couldn't find DS's MAP scores on a sheet he had that listed the average MAP scores all the way up to 10th Grade. I know DS scoring above an average 10th grader is not a big deal but I am so glad that it was all that took to convince him.
He was open to all suggestions. He said DS working on any other Math program when in class was acceptable. The school would support it. He also said we could consider a full grade skip if we really wanted to since his reading scores are pretty good too. We said we didn't want to do that then but we are thinking about it.
DS is currently in 4th , the school will be offering Algebra in 6th. They cannot offer a grade skip just in math(to attend math with 6th graders) due to scheduling issues and I am not sure if he can cope up with all subjects being compacted if we opt for a grade skip. But then again he scores A for all subjects this year with minimal effort. (Does not study at home for any tests or reviews). He only works on projects at home and homework which is usually busy work. I am seriously thinking of getting IAS manual to see if it recommends one way or the other.

FWIW, this was the excuse our school gave us for not subject accelerating DS in math last year and most of this year, something he badly needed. DS now misses some of his regular class to go to a different grade for math (after the school tested him and realized that yeah, he needed more challenging math). True, he misses some of his regular class, but he's not actually "missing" anything, since he's way ahead academically.

Something to think about when talking with the school. If you think math acceleration would be good, ask what your son would be missing by doing so.

We had this very same agreement with our school Director of High Ability last year.

I wish we would have got it in writing or had them put it in our sons ILP.