Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Heard tonight at dinner time...

"So what did you learn in math today at school?"

"Weeeellll... the other kids learned about counting by tens. I already knew that."

Sadly this is not the first time we've heard the phrase "the other kids learned." He's very specify about his word choice. And we're really careful about not saying anything about DS's situation in front of him.

Three more weeks until the GIEP. Three more weeks...

In the highly technical, highly precise term: poo!

JB, thanks for letting me vent.

No help here, just a sad face and a pat on the virtual back for you.

That pretty much sums it up

Thank goodness he has a dad who recognizes he's not learning anything new at school and takes the initiative to teach him new things at home.

((pat, pat))
So, what are your hopes for the GIEP?

My hopes are that we get at least math replaced with something more appropriate to his level (3rd grade-ish). It would be nice for that to occur with reading too, but the impression that I get is that they are interpreting his quietness/shyness as lack of ability. This one is a harder one to place because he can read at a similar level if not higher, but doesn't necessarily write in depth about what he's read (although the comprehension is definitely there). For example, he reads Dragon's Slayer Academy just fine and he'll tell you everything that happened he just might not like to write about it.

My expectation is that we're just going to be offered the pull out program and perhaps "extra" math worksheets to do at home. (We already do that ad hoc). If that's the case, then it won't be acceptable.

From a pragmatic point of view I'm not expecting to get much out of this year but to start laying down groundwork.

JB

More cyberhugs JBDad.

A friend's son is faced with a similar issue. He's in Kindy and got moved to 1st grade for reading. He was in the highest reading group but got moved down b/c he couldn't do the writing ie write a sentence about the setting, main character etc. whereas he could answer all that and more orally, often, the writing skills are grade level or he (seems like mostlhy w/ boys) just doesn't like to physically write.

I think one of the issues that we're running into is that the two teachers DS has most of the time don't see his capabilities. Like they don't believe us or don't believe DS really knows certain things.

We're still trying to figure out how to deal with that. Luckily, PA's chapter 16 does have a framework where the school is supposed to test for his current level. This will require some sort of out of grade testing.

JB

Hi JB, it'll be snowing here quite a bit, later, according to the weather reports!

We have a similar issues with BOTH girls. I chalk some of it up teacher ignorance, another little bit to administrative management.

I think your best bet is continue to keep informed about what is and isn't possible, what DS is and isn't entitled to under to state reg's and district policy and what is needed to qualify him for it.

For example, while the principal has bent over backward to help us, we've had issues with a teacher here and there. It seems the teachers have way more sway than they should in determining "gifted" status before actual 3rd grade testing.

This is a topic for another thread, but I will briefly say that if you have provided an SB, WISC or WPPSI administered by a qualified tester than the teacher's opinion at that point is inconsequential. My six year old child doesn't have to "prove" anything to any teacher at this point, the concept is preposterous.

DD8 has taken the school's test and is "in the system". We think things will go well for her at this point........time will tell.

We've actually decided to let DD6 finish out the year and she will be hs for next year, re-enrolled for third to take the school's test.

In her case, I've weighed the advocation process with the ill effects of having her stay another year in a bad situation and it just wasn't worth it.

And this has been a mixed bag for us. On the one hand the SB5 showed that his IQ is gifted. On the other hand, just barely if you look at just the number. And on yet another hand at least the pysch put in the official report "this was not a good test for DS so these results are on the low end". The achievement scores prove that out.

Our tester wasn't a GT specialist so he only gave us achievement scores on those scores that could be based on pre-K levels (just 1 reading section and 1 math section). At the time we didn't push for it, but it seems he could have used norms for other children and just note that on the result. He did issue some other achievement sub-tests and included in the report that DS had some vertical knowledge of math that was up to the 5th grade level.

Basically when DS wants to learn something he does it and how.

JB (still venting a little thanks for listening)

Hi JBDad

Stick with it. Nothing is forever. I know some may disagree, but perhaps you can help him with coping skills. I know it does not correctr the issue about math, but it can be a helpful tool for future issues. Our DS6 is a go with the flow type. He will read along at 1st grade as well as 4th. He will do math at 2nd grade or 3rd, with no complaint. We still have fun at home with some fun math.

The test's seem to mean very little in the school. Perhaps when you have your meeting bring in his work from home. One thing for me was to learn that although DS6 undestood multiplication and division and could do the work, he did not have his facts down cold. Keeping pushing for 2nd grade pullout, or even 3rd grade.

Happy Holidays

Edwin