Sounds like you have your hands full.
Maybe you could start off by asking what the teachers expectations are for the year? Where does she see DD8 ending off the year in math and reading? If you don't know what your end goal is, it's hard to get there.
On the vocabulary, I love the idea of kids making choices with in limits. It sounds though that the words are to easy. Does your district have a list of vocabulary they consider to be at a certain level? Maybe go up a level? Ours uses Wordly Wise for vocabulary supplementation and it seems to work well.
Spelling seems to be an area we haven't mastered communicating our needs with yet either. We tried to get them to change them last year and it was a joke. Mine knows the entire years words already and we just let it go. We pick our battles and this year spelling just isn't at the top of the list.
One last thought. I've recently asked for quarterly updates on the scope and sequence being taught. Each district has specific items that are taught at each level. I've asked for documentation each quarter of where we've gotten to. That way I can see if mine is being challenged appropriately or if they are just following the regular education format with no acceleration or compacting.
Good luck with the meeting!!!
