Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment Asking school for WISC

So we decided not to pursue private testing with the GT specialist for $$$$$$$$$$$$ at this point. But I am still concerned that dd6 i K may not be getting what she needs (see what a child doesn't learn) and don't think her teacher has any clue what she is capable of. I go between thinking she is more GT than dd12 (dys qualifying) to thinking she is just fine in k with same age peers. So I talked to the university who will do WISC with grad student for $150, but they need a form from school requesting it.

Did not want to approach school yet. But, assistant principal is very nice, handled dd12's acceleration process, has gifted endorsement, so I decided to just go ahead and ask if he would fill out form.

The GT ID process starts at school in fall of first, but I am concerned group test would miss dd, and that she will not learn good work habits, and she might even be a candidate for acceleration and I would like to make that choice sooner rather than later if so. We shall see what happens! I guess eventually they would find out I was "that parent" with dd6 too...

Deacon girl- just ask. Seems like school won't be suprised given older sibling. My dh and I waffled for a long time trying to decide what to do. (Our ds6 is in k too.) after meeting with the neuropsychologist, we both know this is the right thing to do. I'm still nervous, because the testing hasn't been completed yet. However, I know the neuropsychologist will help us and ultimately ds. Advocating for our children is something we need to do. It is in the best interest of the kids. I will say that it has greatly helped me that my husband is very much in agreement with testing and everything now. Feel free to lean upon us here. Make sure you keep us posted about how things are going!

Shoot. So he was very nice, but, school will not ask university to do testing. If I fill out the form, they will begin acceleration process, which would include testing, including WISC. I just don't know if I want to start that process now. I really just want the WISC scores before deciding whether to ask for acceleration. I wish we just had the money to take her to the $$ tester. grrrr...what to do? This kid is quirky. With a tester who doesn't get kids like her I can see it not going well. And then we will look ridiculous and if issues come up in the future who knows. So what would you all do? Would you ask school to do testing now?

Does the form consent to the testing and request evaluation toward acceleration? Or does it request acceleration? You should have the right to review the data and decide (as part of the team) any change in placement. If you turn down the change in placement after seeing the scores, I don't think they can force it...

DeeDee

It is actually a very smooth process--the form consents to testing and then they use the IAS. Yes, you can turn down a change in placement. I just wanted to have control over the info., kwim? And my older dd was MG on her testing at 6 (I think due to perfectionism)--I would just hate for it to be an underestimate of her abilities and then limit future options. I guess it is pretty simple--we either need to pay for private testing or request the school do it. I still don't know what the right thing is. She is not miserable or anything.

So here is the thing--I think hardly anyone ever asks for the eval towards acceleration--people were shocked when dd12 skipped 6th. So I feel sort of like only if a kid is clearly way out there doing calculus or reading Shakespeare should I be asking for it or I look silly...stupid I know. But, as I said,the assistant principal is very nice and supportive and would be pleasant to work with if we did make the request.

Thanks MON. I am thinking that I will just go ahead and ask for the acceleration eval. which will include the testing. It is just different than with older dd b/c this kid is quirky and I feel like she could be anywhere from MG to PG and I have no idea how she will test and I know her teacher will think I am pushy and ridiculous...but the assistant principal is very supportive and understands why I would make the request. If by any chance she turns out to be a good candidate for acceleration it would be good to know now.

Deacongirl,

I know just how you feel. Our DS11 is a perfectionist as well and thinks way outside of the box. Though he was identified as gifted in 1rst, he was never way out there so we've just assumed he's MG. Recent test scores on Explore alerted us to the fact that he may not be getting what he needs, however, so we've started the acceleration process at his elementary school for the next year in middle school. I have no idea how he will do with the testing since he thinks outside of the box and has issues with timing( he frreezes up when he knows he's being timed, though this has gotten better lately) and he's not a puzzle person. But we're jumping in anyway and we'll see where the process takes him...

Also I don't think it's pushy or ridiculous to advocate for your DDs and I don't think your principal will either...

I know it is awful. There is no way I would have been brave enough to ask the school for testing - I don't think they would have anyway. I was lucky for a number of reasons that affordable testing was available (it was a stretch but doable).

I too have a quirky younger child who may or may not choose to co-operate with the tester. He may choose to give deliberately wrong answers and laugh hysterically or just say rude words.

I hope it goes well whatever you do.