Belle and Jen, I've followed your stories and don't think I really picked up on the fact that you were in Florida earlier. I'm not sure this would help your situations at all, probably too little too late, but wanted to share something that I think I understand about Florida gifted rules.
In Florida rules there is language that says the school district has to provide a written notice to the parents a refusal to initiate, or change the identification, evaluation or educational placement for a gifted student, or the provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE)to that student. That notice must include an explanation of why the district refuses to take that action and a description of any other options the district considered and why those options were rejected. It also requres a description of each evaluation procedure, test, record or report the distrct relied on as a basis for the refusal.
I decribed in an advocacy topic above where when I met with the principal and asked for a grade skip for my DD7 from 1st to 3rd, she said "no" but when I put that request in writing, suddenly the school was willing to do a trial run in 3rd grade, that is a rousing success so far. Our whole story is more complicated than that, and I believe there was some behind the scenes stuff that I am not privy to. In my case it was only my school that was opposed, other schools in my district have accelerated and district-level gifted staff were supportive of the skip.
I believe that once they realize that they are refusing a request (in writing) that is contrary to the evidence, they realize that they open themselves up to more formal action, like lawsuits. I think it also really forces them to think about why they are refusing and if they cannot justify those reasons to an oustide party, they may back down and agree instead of refuse.
I don't think any of this applies to private schools, but I hope it helps a little, maybe for future reference.
