Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy GT program denial--need advocacy advice

After reading several posts tonight I decided this was the place for me seek advice, and at the very least vent.

My DD will be 6 next week and is in kindergarten in our local public elementary school. DD took the WPPSI III at age 4-8 because we were considering private school, scoring 144 PIQ, 147 VIQ, and 146 FSIQ. I know these aren't DYS scores (150 required on WPPSI), but 99th percentile in all three nonetheless. Most of her subtests were in the 17-19 scaled score range, but her coding was much lower (in the 75th percentile). At the time this was great information for us to have because she was getting so frustrated that she couldn't write better, and I was a little surprised that she wasn't making more progress towards reading. The psych told me it was likely neuro development and not to worry, so we didn't.

Flash forward to now. Based on her test scores we referred her for the school's GT program. So in October they pulled her out of her classroom (she was the only one from her class) and gave her a "nonverbal ability test" with about 20 other kids. Then in Dec., for the second round, they pulled her out of her class and gave her an "achievement test" with only about 5 other kids (these were the only kindergarteners to make it to the second round at her school).

A few weeks ago we got the test results back, along with the denial into the GT program. We were shocked when we saw the results. She scored in the 45th% on the Naglieri (I'm pretty sure that's what they gave her even though they won't absolutely confirm it), and in the 36% on the achievement test in the area of "general reasoning." I freaked out. I called the school to get more info. I thought maybe she had some kind of anxiety disorder or processing issue. The counselor told me the following: all the kids scored low, no kindergartener made it and only 1 first grader did, the kids just can't feel comfortable in this setting, young kids aren't used to taking multiple choice tests, some kids give up when they don't know the answer to one question, wait a few years and maybe she'll feel comfortable enough to show her abilities and test into GT, and I shouldn't worry.

After talking with a psychologist who had seen my DD at age 3 for anxiety issues, and after talking with the psych who tested her, we all decided she was likely very anxious in the group setting. They encouraged me to protest the decision. After talking with the district's GT Coordinator (who had never heard of the WPPSI, by the way), I decided to present the scores and a packet of information to the Campus Appeals Committee. I was told I had 15 minutes to present my case. I gave them the test scores, articles about testing, and examples of some recent "work" my DD had done. In 15 minutes I tried my best to sum up my DD; that's HARD!

Today I got my letter saying that the committee was upholding the original decision. There was no explanation; the box was just checked "upheld." Perhaps the most frustrating thing is that the decision was dated the same day as the meeting; they obviously didn't even read what I had submitted. I can now appeal to the district level appeals committee, but I don't have high hopes.

I've been told by several parents and teachers that the principals in my district "don't believe in programs" for the young kids, yet my district tests for GT and claims to have a program. I've also been told that GT programs here really don't do much until middle school. DD is very happy socially in her class, and fortunately she has a great teacher who makes her feel special. Honestly her self esteem was a real worry of mine because of her perfectionism, and her teacher has handled her beautifully. DD wasn't reading when kindergarten started (we didn't work with her after the coding info) but now is reading at about 2nd grade level , so I think her progress has been great in a short amount of time. I can't say that she's bored but she's such a sponge (her teacher's word) and always wants more. She's willing to initiate learning at home (recent example: last week she taught herself the sign language alphabet in about 45 minutes using starfall.com and since then has been spelling her responses to me when she's being sassy--so cute though!). I'm not sure she completely shows her motivation or knowledge at school, though, because she wants to please her teacher so much and is so concerned about her appearance.

So here I am, feeling very frustrated and left with so many questions. Do kids in Kinder and 1st grade need differentiation beyond an advanced reading group? When she turns 6 should we test her with the WISC or give her an individual achievement test to see if she scores in the DYS range, or should we wait a year to let her develop? Or should I forget the whole thing and accept that she'll be fine in the regular classroom. I'm just not sure I can accept "fine." Is it wrong for me to want more than that even if she's happy right now? Sometimes I think I'm worrying about a problem that isn't there yet. I just feel like it's coming. And I admit that I'm just plain MAD that they denied her.

I'm sorry for the rambling, and believe it or not I could ramble EVEN MORE, but I'll stop now. Any advice or encouragement would be appreciated.