Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy GIEP not being followed

How old is your child? I wouldn't be happy that the child was told not me (unless we are talking about an older kid). You may not have a legal case but if the school agreed to something in writing there is contract which shouldn't be voided without discussion.

Okay...I am not steaming mad anymore and things are on the right path so I can fill you all in.

So, this week the new principal told me no my son couldn't accelerate to the next grade math. He ONLY got an 82% and an 85% on two pretests for 3rd grade level math...even though he completed 3rd grade level math last year (with his 2nd grade teacher last year). My thoughts were...if you give the kids actually in 4th grade the 3rd grade pretest...how many of them would get 82% and 85%? Or would they be perfect? I am sure there is a 15% of the stuff that the kids have to be retaught. I am willing to analyze the pretest and fill in any gaps he has.

I went and talked to his last year's teacher today and she sent me to the district level gifted person. I had a discussion with the gifted coordinator over the phone this afternoon. I gave her his IQ score (they are not kept in the computer so she doesn't have access to them unless she is looking at his physical cum folder) and a Woodcock Johnson set of scores (which was done by outside testing and isn't in his cum) and I gave her all the details of the situation.

This person said that the previous decision was not correct and we need to fix it. The actual cutoff is 80% I don't know what score the principal actually wanted, 90%? 100%? And a few other things that she noted are wrong with his situation (he is not being served at all by a gifted endorsed teacher). SO, she is calling another meeting where she will be there. On the table is fixing it so he can get the next level of math and possibly a whole grade skip will be discussed.

I hope I don't become enemy number one of the principal for going to the gifted coordinator. But if I don't seek out the right education for my son, who will?

Here is how that all played out. She handed him the 3rd grade math book and he said this isn't the right book for me I need the 4th grade book. I am supposed to go to a fourth grade classroom for math. She said "that didn't work out and you are not going." Then she said a bit later..."you are doing different parts of this book because it has some higher level stuff." Then she gave him a "getting to know your textbook" worksheet and one question was...after looking at the table of contents, what lessons/topics in this book look easy?" My son replied "all of it because I have already DONE it."

So, no, she didn't really come out and say...we are ignoring the GIEP (which I have just learned is actually called an EP here in FL and is part of the ESE umbrella under state law but a separate category with its own laws). But what she did say was in fact ignoring the EP which says in the discussion notes...

Teacher and parent met to update the EP. Teacher shared that student completed 3rd grade math (we put that there because there is no place that shows he did that on his report card...it just says "A" for a grade and then Above level but it is on his 2nd grade report card). Parent concerned that student will be discouraged if he has to repeat 3rd grade curriculum.

And then on the math page in the "needs" area it says a need exists to enrich and accelerate student's curriculum in math per above grade level performance on district and classroom assessments. (bold is my added emphasis and the whole reason we met was to add that word to the EP...I just knew this was going to happen with a new principal and widespread changes that were in the wind at the end of the year)

And if that is not horrifying enough (I am kidding here a bit, but not really) over the summer they changed the school color from one color to another and the mascot without so much as asking us. What if we really are attached to the color and the cute mascot? Our first SAC committee meeting is coming up I am sure that people will be up in ARMS about those two things only coming in second to the yearly first meeting rant about car pick up/drop off line.

I have a feeling we will be like the Auburn Tigers/War Eagles and end up with a bunch of people who refuse to give up our original mascot and years from now people will say "why do you have two mascots?" and there will be no answer.

I would say academics are more important than colours and mascots but changing colours and mascots without consultation doesn't exactly scream "we consider ourselves part of a team in educating your kids" does it? It is more the "we know best so don't worry your pretty little heads" approach to governance.

Right, it is an indicator or pattern. If I were asked I would have said no don't change the mascot but I don't care about the color change, go for it. I just can't wait to sit back and see the fall out. Changing the mascot and color isn't going to make it an A graded school.

I'll let you all know final out come.

I'd definitely go in with a list in STRICT priority order-- assume that you may only get to discuss items 1-2 or maybe 1-3 on that list.

Had a meeting with a different administrator and love her.

She listened to all the facts and wrote it all down. Asked what I was looking for to resolve the matter. Seemed to appreciate the needs of PG students and asked good questions and said we would talk again at the latest on Thursday.

Final resolution but still a few details to be worked out...

Permission has now been finalized that he will accelerate to 4th grade math. Logistics do not allow for him to actually go to the 4th grade to take the class. So the next best thing is that he will take a FLVirtual class for 4th grade math. There are two providers one being k12 and one being a provider I have never heard of (not connections). I am going to be given a preview access to both and we will chose the one that best fits my son. I have had experience with k12 before but they are ever evolving and my older son used them in 2006 and 2007 for 1st and 2nd grade...so I don't expect it to be the same so I will need to look at it.

We will sit down as a team and draw up a new Education Plan with the details of this class and who is responsible for what. Also he will take the 3rd grade FCAT so there might be a break right before that for him to review for that (or it might be possible that they do one FCAT practice problem per day and it might be he participates in THAT and then heads to his computer to take his online class. Also he said the teacher will analyze his 3rd grade pretest and make a list of the questions he missed and fill those gaps.

I am happy with this solution because the only other option appears to be whole grade skip. There are two objections I have to whole grade...one 4th graders take the FCAT Writing portion and he is definitely not there yet and two he is in a special program and he would lose out on a whole year of the special program if he did that (dual language where he gets half his content in Spanish). Also, with this option he really and truly can go at his own pace. And I asked the lady who is giving me preview access and will ask again in writing at our next meeting that if he completes this, can he start in on 5th (within reason if it is near the end of the school year no point) but I want to make sure there is no rule about ONE year ONE class.

So what was the turn around? I think another meeting with the Vice Principal where all the details came out in a nice orderly fashion. And then the principal pulled him this morning to his office and gave him the 4th grade pretest (he had 82% and 85% on 3rd grade pretest) and he got a 74% on the 4th grade pretest. As he sat and worked on it the principal was impressed just with him as a student and his focus. And his STAR (the AR people at Renaissance Learning, not another test that is a California test) Math score gave a grade placement (not grade equivalent) of 7th grade (which you take as a grain of salt but still that is more than impressive) That plus is IQ score and WJ Broad Math score I think was finally enough data. And now EVERYONE is on board. So woohoo for persistent advocacy.

Great news; bravo on the successful advocacy!

Well done - but why does it have to be so hard?