Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Meeting with teacher re: grade acceleration

Just need to post for a confidence boost. My DS5 is currently in Kindergarten and we are asking the school to skip him to 2nd grade next year. Our school district has no mandate nor funding for GT so pull-outs and subject acceleration do not exist, except to the extent a teacher will incorporate it into a classroom.

My first step is to get his teacher on board before I approach the principal. I am meeting with her tomorrow. Best outcome would be for her to say she absolutely agrees with us and we just make it happen. If she needs some convincing I have printed out some articles she could quickly read and then, if she so desired, I would give her my copy of "A Nation Deceived" or "Iowa Acceleration Scale", or "5 levels of Gifted". I would have to get a read on what she is willing to read, obviously.

She loves our DS and has easily accommodated his needs in her class. For example, when they do their math centers he is often allowed to do his EPGY. She has chapter books in the classroom for him to read and she really gets excited when the kids soar. What I'm not sure about, is whether or not she realizes she is the exception to the norm.

I was recently introduced to one other mom whose daughter skipped 1st grade at this school. She said the K teacher (a different one) was pushing for the skip and the principal was skeptical but finally agreed. So it has been done.

Any advice? or just wish me luck!

Do you have any above grade level testing information to help make the case? Do they give MAP tests or something like it? If the principal is skeptical that may help. Good luck!

Good luck, Eleanor05! Sounds like you have done lots of preparation already! Your DS is lucky to have a wonderful teacher. Hopefully she will not only agree with the skip, but also recommend a good 2nd grade teacher who is willing to work with you and your DS.

Mag

PS: Not sure if your school also requires the school counselor on board for the skip... but it might be worthwhile to find out.

good questions. We had the WPPSI done and he scored in the 99.7%, not DYS material, but definitely gifted. His teacher has his scores and before he entered Kindergarten he was given a battery of tests by a psychologist due to some other issues, and he was in the 99.9% on the Woodcock Johnson, so the school already is aware of him.

Good idea about the school counselor. The specialists at our school are only for the under performing students. No IEPs are given to students who meet academic standards, but I like this school for a variety of other reasons. There is a school I would like to apply to for 5th grade, so I need to make this work for a few more years.

That's really good news! I love the idea of asking the teacher to handpick the 2nd grade teacher. You might also consider asking the teacher to grab some 2nd grade level material from one of her teacher friends and start to develop a little 'portfolio' of 'what he can do' so that when you meet with the Principle, you have BOTH the testing AND actual work samples based on your particular school's expectations.

If the teacher isn't willing to do this, perhaps she could help you gather the materials and you could administer them at home, or you may be able to gther the materials yourself through the Mommy-Network. Someone has to have an older child who is currently in 2nd grade.

Or wander the school hallways and check out the work that is posted in the hallway bulletin boards. Our schools always have samples of the student's work in the hallways.

Best Wishes,
Grinity

For something she can "quickly read," give the Executive Summary of "A Nation Deceived" and a copy of the article, "What a Child Doesn't Learn." The other stuff might result in her eyes rolling into the back of her head.

Thank you for these links. This is the type of thing I was looking to give to her. I'll post with an update later today. Thanks to you all!

UPDATE
Had a 20 minute meeting with my DS5's teacher and overall it went pretty well. I mentioned the grade skip to 2nd grade for next fall and her first reaction was concern with the "social aspect" of it all, but she also shared my concerns that 1st grade could be way too slow for him. I briefly touched on the research I had read and asked her to keep an open mind and I told her about the Iowa Acceleration Scale. She was genuinely interested and I plan on getting the book to her tomorrow.

In the meantime, she is going to talk to the special services coordinator and the principal to talk about Christopher and see what is possible. I did hint to the fact that if this isn't an option we would be leaving the school. I live in Washington, DC and not more than 1 mile away is the fine state of VA that has mandated and funded G/T. Why haven't we moved there yet you ask? I ask myself the same question everyday! (We love the city.)

Thanks for all the support!

Glad it went well and thanks for the update. To me it's well worth waiting to see what they can do in order to avoid the hassle of a move.

I can't wait to hear how they respond. I have a similar "pre-meeting" where we are bringing up the subject of a 1 to 3 skip, so I am eager to see how yours unfolds. Good Luck!! Nan