Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Our experience with advocacy before kindy

Hi everyone! I'm reporting on our recent experiences in advocating for DS5 before he enters the school system. A little background: we had DS tested at age 4.1 on the SB-V, because we wondered if he should go to kindergarten early. He scored very well (HG+), and the psychologist recommended letting DS play another year. So we did that, keeping DS in part-time preschool, while also reading everything we could on gifted, including this extremely helpful board.

A good friend with an HG son recommended that we talk with the gifted coordinator (GC) in our district before DS gets to school. (FYI- we live in a pretty small city in MN, an hour away from large metro areas.) We met with the GC a couple months ago, and we gave her the SB-V reports to share with the principal at the K-2 school. We shared our concerns about how DS will fit in at the school. About the same time, I called the state's gifted specialist, who also recommended speaking with our district's GC.

Last week, the GC called to tell us that she shared DS's info with the school psychologists and the principal, and they want to do additional testing on DS5: WJ-III and 2 social/emotional questionnaires. The group met with us today, and we completed the social/emotional questionnaires and scheduled the WJ-III in a couple of weeks. One school psych will also be observing DS in his preschool next week. DH and I didn't talk much during this meeting; we wanted to see what they had to say. It was all very positive, and they told of their past experiences with HG+ kids (not very much experience at all, but they have accelerated a handful of kids in the past and seem open to all kinds of ideas when they get done with this information gathering phase). They also explained the tests. DH asked how many other meetings like this they have had, and ours was the first.

We feel that the GC has really gone to bat for us and really gets our DS's situation. We are so happy that the school is meeting with us even before DS is enrolled. And they are finding out this information before teachers for next year are chosen. (Note: Because our small district does not have many policies in place on this issue, we may be in a better position than those of you who have to go through all the steps of established policies.)

Once they get all the info together, they said they will work with us to develop a program for our DS.

Because I have seen so many people here talk about how they have talked to the teachers or principals before their kids enter school, but haven't seen many stories of those who have approached the GC directly, I wanted to share our (so far) positive experience with the path. Our GC has been a wonderful advocate for us.

Another positive: the WJ-III is one of the tests that DYS accepts, so if that goes well we won't have to pay for that testing if we apply to DYS.

We will keep you posted on what happens over the next few weeks. Thanks everyone for sharing your stories so that we would have a clue about what to do!

Can I ask - since you are in MN, did you use Dr. Ruf as your psychologist?

That sounds so promising SPG! It's great that your school is so proactive! DOK!!!

Wow St. Pauli, that sounds very promising. In our MN school, the gifted coordinator was cut due to budget issues several years ago and I couldn't even get a return phone call or e-mail from the district GT office. This despite the fact DS hit the ceiling of THEIR screener.

Anyway - continued good luck! I look forward to hearing how it goes.

Thank you for posting and I am really curious how the process works for you b/c I am one of them with a toddler and finding this information early really helps. At least I hope! We all want to be proactive with our kids and I know I have read it a few times about us parents with toddlers and how much further we are for discovering the GT now versus later. I really do hope we are and I am still weighing it against are we (meaning me) expecting too much since I opened this can of worms? I am always questioning my actions and hoping I am not pushing her but wanting to make sure I give her opportunities. Definitely another topic I am sure but I guess I am saying that we (with the toddlers) have the double edge sword to contend with.

I did have a parent of a profoundly gifted 5 year old talk to me (given what she knows of my DD) and suggest that I prepare a portfolio about DD to have it ready for the schools. Has anyone done this with their toddlers and if so did it help with the school process?

Thanks everyone! And hello kimck - welcome back. Wow - I didn't realize that your school didn't have a gifted coordinator at all. Ours is actually only part-time due to funding, so I feel especially lucky she is spending so much time with us. And that's unbelievable no one from the district would get back to you. If you ever go back to the schools, I recommend starting with the state gifted office. PM me if you want to chat.

Jen - yes, we did go see Ruf. Her extremely detailed report is probably what is helping us get all this attention. I highly recommend her. My DS absolutely loved her (at the time of testing, he was 4.1 and had never been left alone with a stranger before).

Go SPG!
What a wonderful thing!

It does strike me as odd that they only kids who are considered for a gradeskip are HG to PG - the very ones for whom a single skip is likely to be 'too little' - but it is a wonderful base from which to grow, so take it if it's offered.

Wonderful that they are going to handpick his teacher. I wish there was a polite way to say this,but, it's really helpful if the high IQ kids get high IQ teachers!

Love and More Love,
Grinity

Your story is a happy one and I'm thrilled for you!! I'm beginning to think that a small district is better for these kids. I posted our story on the "Trinity hall of Fame a couple of days ago. Our situation is very much like yours, all positive!!

Can I ask what your son scored on the SB5? I have been informally corresponding with Dr. Ruf, and she is telling me that our WPPSI FSIQ of 139 puts DD in the "exceptionally gifted" range. I am wondering if she is basing her estimate on the SB5 scores, which I've heard tend to look lower than the WPPSI or WISC. I was under the impression that scores of 145+ were needed to be considered HG or EG, but Dr. Ruf maintains that those numbers were based on old SB-LM tests. Thoughts?

Our DD is starting K next year, and we're trying to figure out just how unique she is - and whether or not we need to be proactive with her school ahead of time (or go with private school - i.e, Montessori?).....

Thanks for sharing this approach and your success. I've been thinking about having DD4 tested sooner rather than later and this is encouraging!