Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment "early identification" versus "grade skip" test

I requested testing for my 2nd grader who is underchallenged in school. She is mostly ahead in writing/ reading, and somewhat in math.
Her younger sister is grade skipped, so I expect this child will also test as gifted. I am not sure how far ahead she is but suspect 1-2 years ahead of her peers. The Gifted Teacher asked me if my reason for requesting testing is to conisder her for "whole grade acceleration" or if I just want "early identification". I am not sure how to answer that. Would there be a difference between testing for one or the other? Shouldn't the tests help and inform me if enrichment is adequate or if she needs a grade skip? Confused... We are in public school, at a GT magnet school. Thanks for your thoughts.

I'd say that, if you don't agree that either option she's mentioned is the reason for the testing, that you reword it for her. I'd say something along the lines of, "we'd like testing to help us ascertain what type of educational accommodations she needs. At this point, we are uncertain as to whether she'd benefit from grade acceleration so we are not testing specifically with that purpose. However, should the testing indicate that her needs are beyond that which can be met without acceleration, we might be open to considering acceleration at that time."