Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Learning Environments Learning needs of those in different IQ ranges...

Going back to the scheduling of classes at the same time. You could do that for maybe 3 classes: math, LA, and either social studies or science. EVen within the same grade level, you could work out so that the most advanced in math go to the teacher that has a passion for math and/or is more qualified in math, then the same for the others. Kids rotate between these 3 teachers. For this to work, you might need to do a couple of grades at a time.

I know of a couple of gifted schools that deal with kids in the 130+ range, by sending kids to specialists starting around 4th grade; essentially the kids go from class to class, like middle schoolers. This allows for them to be taught by a specialist in the subject matter, which they require at that age. There is differentiation inside each section as needed. Teachers are trained to individualized curriculum to a certain degree(which would work for many in the 130-145 range). It might be hard for some of those teachers to provide materials/teaching to those who are too far ahead; some would find it doable and others would not.

I want to reiterate what gratified is saying. Schools, for the most part, are not interested in IQ numbers. I suspect that your efforts to get accomodations for your child will fall on deaf ears so long as you focus on IQ.

What schools care about (when they do care) is what your child knows. But even here, testing on the school's own curriculum (using their end of year tests) will be far more persuasive than simply showing scores from an achievement test like the WJ-III or the WIAT (or even a talent search test like the EXPLORE). If I were in your situation, I would ask to look at the curricula for the classes in question, and ask if your DS can take a test to show whether or not he has mastered the material.

I'm not looking for perfect accomidations. I just think he should be learning more and studying. If they could get 2 or 3 subjects close to right for him he could hang in there for the rest. He is really enjoying some friendship this year and his school basket ball team.

Ex. Study guides for Science and Social Studies. He know these the first day. Most of the infomation he knows before he reads the book. The teacher provides the paragraph to 2 questions on the test, they are graded on spelling and puncutation. I do see the point of the kids learning what is an appropriate anwser. He says he would like to give the anwser. (insulted again)

So if the scores are close to the other gifted kids in everything but Math they will probally do nothing else. This make me think, if we want his needs met in more than the Math we need to move to another school.

Except, if the explore test produces results then maybe they will do something with this.

He is so amazing because of how quickly he can read, learn, understand and retain so much that I don't even get. It feels like this school is not measuring up except socially. Should I be thinking the other gifted kids are in same situation except in Math?

The school said they have several kids with this IQ. I said how do they know? She said we give kids the X test. I forget the name. I never recieved a report with IQ before his IQ testing.

The library has the state Math tests, practice tests. If he went thru these, would that help the school understand his Math or should I have him do some Math program, like EPGY at home and bring in the reports.

His grumpiness is worse in general these days. He says the other kids don't like school. He doesn't like what he is reading but doesn't want to put any effort into new books. It's like school is holding him back so he will too. He has never had a problem entertaining himself due to self made projects. He is frequently talking "boring" and is less interested in trying new things.

I will drop the IQ argument with school. I am understanding better.

The GT and regular teacher said she doesn't think testing out works there is more to this then the results a pencil and paper can show.

The math instruction is very slow and repeative. He is doing condensed 3 & 4th Grade math this year. He is finally working on Multipliction which is good - He is learning. He feels like he is not being challenged in the math and it's so little new information. I wanted them to test him out of units to do something else - mindware Math books, he loves. This seems like a better use of his time. It feels like the school is holding back his progress. I don't mind if they slow the pace thru the grades if they give him condense and give appropriate enriched activites. He says Math and Math enrichment are to easy. They are open to him bringing in an enrichment class but he will still need to do the regular work. I think they need to free him up from somethingto allow time for more.

I don't think I'm going to be able to get him in somewhere new for next year. I'm still unsure the changes available offer enough challenge to make the change.

One school that offers differentiation has 4th Grade teachers who don't enbrace it. This place could work if we were set on moving him up a grade. The teacher showed me another book for enrichment that was just another format of the regular Math. I was looking for logic and reasoning or something more. In other grades, their style of differentiation means everyone in one class gets the same lecture, then break into different work. I'm not sure if that is on target for what we want.

DH is not wanting him to change schools and start over. Public school culture is of concern. I think if we can tweak a bit more he can hang in there a little longer. I will also provide out of school activities like chess.

I am learning thru the school searching process but still somewhat confused.

There are 2 more private schools to check out, he could go there and then continue there thru Highschool. I'm hearing the older grades at our school are worse so if he can make a change in junior high and then stay in that school that sounds good. This might also give him more time to make more concrete friendships and gain social confidence. Less changes might be better to hold out for.

The tuition is a big issue. Finacial aid and scholarships may help but I'm not overly hopeful.

I am not going to let finacial issues stop me from looking beyond my means at this point. I'm not working right now. If I can just figure out a path for my kids to be ok. Then I can work parttime. If I could get them into a school that would be good for afterschool, I could work full time. Current school aftercare is a bad situation, very unruly and boring. I have been out of work for 9 years and with today's economy I don't feel very hopeful for making much money. I wish I would have retained some of my work now.

Developmentally, does it make much difference when a child changes their school, during 5th thru 8th Grade? I thinking the teen years may be challenging. Is it better to make the move sooner or later with this in mind?

onthegomom

Are you still considering the small private school or are you looking at other options in case more young students do not attend next year?

At this point, every thing is still up for consideration, but I don't think we will get a placement in a new school for September. It's getting late for that and I'm just not sure that the options are what I'm ready to move him for. Social is going amazingly well this year. Current school is still some what open to some adjustments. DH is not want to make a move. I think if it has to get really bad for DH to want a move. DH doesn't really understand how bad it is for him.

It seems like any of the moves would improve the quality of the education but nothing feels just right. There are 2 very expensive school, I can't afford, on my to do list. I could move him and keep him there thru High School. I like the idea of less moves for him socially. I talk with DYS for the first time this week so hopefully they will promote some progress.

If you are out of work and not sure that you will be going back soon due to the economy and other factors, have you considered homeschooling him? At the least, you'd be better off financially due to not having the pay the tuition of a private school.

I, too, have felt like dd#2's school has been a hinderance to her learning math and, worse yet, it has really damaged her self image regarding her mathematical abilities. We are getting a bit back on a better track this year with some afterschooling with EPGY math and a better fit of a teacher, but I don't hold out high hopes of them teaching her much in math to be honest. If they can at least refrain from doing any more damage, I'll be happy. We're aiming to get through the rest of this year and next and then I would really like to fully homeschool her for middle school (6th-8th). I work part-time, though, so having her home full-time is a challenge until we can figure out a way to get around losing my salary or find a more flexible job arrangement. In the meantime I've been gathering a bunch of resources so I have them in place when I can hopefully get to more complete hsing!

I do think, like pps have mentioned, schools are more interested in current achievement than potential. Thus, the IQ argument not getting you far in terms of different accommodations for your ds. Perhaps if you can at least supplement at home if you have the time, his achievement will give them reason to take you more seriously. Good luck with the Explore results. I hope that those have some impact as well.

DS does Saxon math and I found a homeschool placement test for Saxon. The Saxon test states it is for students new to Saxon. I also found a state Achievement test.

If I were to give both of these tests for Math, do you think this would be helpful for dealing with school. I don't think the school will give me end of year tests. They may not even have end of year tests. They said testing would not be enough because there is more to learning then what can be shown on pencil and paper???