Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy first meeting with public school!

So we have a meeting with our public school k/1st grade coordinator on Monday, and I am essentially looking for some advice on how to approach it. Are there any important questions that I shouldn't forget to ask, any things in particular to talk about/get across about my gifted kid and the curriculum, what they can do for us (if anything) etc? I know a lot of you are advocacy masters so I just want to pick your brains!

A little bit of background - DS just turned four, has been in montessori preschool for last 2 years...he is decoding at maybe 3rd-4th grade level, and comprehension is...1-2nd grade? (we are actually right in the middle of getting him evaluated so we will have more 'concrete' info about that sort of thing in a month or so). math is through the roof - at least 3rd grade math, maybe almost done with that, honestly, and definitely stuff beyond. Socially great, but definitely still 4 years old.

Basically, we know we can't just do it the normal way, and have already talked about homeschooling - but we just want to put all our ducks in a row, and make sure we have touched on all the options available...and that includes at least looking at public school to see what they can offer us.

Any insight would be appreciated!

There are great articles about advocacy and choosing a school. Here is one example from the Davidson database: http://www.davidsongifted.org/db/Articles_id_10511.aspx

Other than the meeting, do you have the opportunity to visit the school? Has your child shadowed? Have you read the policy/practice statements for the school (often found on the school website)? What does the formal G&T program consist of (once a week 30-minute pull out... teaching capped at grade level ahead... or matching the curriculum/pacing to the child?) Does the school have students with a similar intellectual profile to your child? Do the teachers have prior experience with children with similar intellectual profiles? Can you meet the parents of children with similar intellectual profiles?

Chapter 14 of the book A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children discusses Finding a Good Educational Fit. Included is a Table of Questions more important than "Is my child in a gifted program?", by Dr. Donald Treffinger.

Thanks indigo. I actually have A Parent's Guide on my computer, but have only had a chance to skim the first couple pages. I clearly need to get on that!

We haven't done anything other than set up the appt, and briefly talked about the G&T program. Your questions are great, and we will definitely add them to the list.