Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Advocating for Grade Skip-Advice needed

Sorry for the long post....

DD8 is in third grade currently. The school has done a really good job with subject acceleration this year; however, they have never done these kinds of things before, so the teachers have quite a learning curve to get over. They were suppose to do in-classroom differentiation, compacting, etc., but the 3rd grade teacher has done none of that. So while the other accommodations have helped a lot, it is not enough. The teachers at this school have mostly been there forever, so I don't have a lot of hope for them overcoming their learning curve in time for DD8.

Therefore, if DD doesn't get into the gifted school, I have to figure out what to do for next year. While I am not thrilled about the idea of a grade skip, I think that will be the easiest and most successful thing for this particular school to do for her. Her gifted teacher says she agrees with me (but I found out early on that she tells me one thing and tells the principal the opposite). Anyway, she is suppose to be our advocate. Their policy is for the principal, counselor, gifted teacher, and parents to decide together whether a grade skip is the right answer. Have I mentioned that this school has never done one?

So, gifted teacher told me she would advocate for DD with principal and counselor (I've heard both are against grade skips in general). Gifted teacher called to tell me that they aren't comfortable with it due to DD's writing skills. They "don't feel comfortable unless the child is excelling in all areas. She won't be where she needs to be in 5th grade without writing down her thoughts more."

I'm working on an e-mail response with questions. I'd like your feedback on the message. Apparently, I offended them before by 'telling them how to do their job', so I am now gun shy about any communication with them (hmmm, maybe that was their goal to begin with). Here's the message:


Gifted teacher told me that she can't think of a way to assess her besides her normal schoolwork, so I'm pretty sure they don't have a writing assessment tool. Of course, DD hates writing and does a poor job on things that she considers below her. The worst thing is that I really don't want to accelerate her, so it's really hard for me to advocate for this properly when I'm wishy-washy. Can anyone help?

I've seen some writing rubrics online by grade. I think Scott Foresman curriculum had their guidelines by grade.

Here it is: http://www.sfreading.com/resources/ghbgrd5.html#
If you click on "Writing Models" it has a sample writing for each level 1-4 and how it was scored. If you click on rubrics it gives you guidelines for that grade.

How does DD feel about grade skipping? If she's excited about the idea, she may be motivated to put more effort into her writing. Maybe she could write a letter to the decision makers explaining why she wants to skip and how she plans to improve her writing skills before next fall.

Good ideas. Dazed - I'll see if the school will accept those rubrics if they don't give me alternatives that they want to use (I'm hypersensitive about making suggestions to them now).

inky - we haven't talked much about skipping w/DD. She does not want to leave her friends, so we are concerned that if we talk about it seriously with her, she will stress out about something that may never happen anyway. She has enough anxiety in her life right now. Or if we try to alleviate her fears by 'selling' her on the idea, she may be terribly disappointed if she gets into the gifted school and we choose that instead. However, if we get bad news from the gifted school, I think your recommendation would fit well.

Thanks for the input. Does anyone have advice on wording the letter?

Your reasons for holding off discussing a grade skip with DD make sense. As for the letter, I thought the wording was good. The only part I'd change is the last sentence. Something about "the need to bombard you next fall" might not be well received. Maybe this?

I know that the beginning of each year is extra busy for teachers, so I'd like to work together now when there aren't as many time pressures. I appreciate your help and look forward to your response.

Thank you thank you thank you.

inky - I like your wording much better, thanks.

Dottie - I like your DS's story and I LOVE the idea of the experiment with DD's writing compared to some older kids'. I'll keep that in my back pocket as a suggestion for them.

I totally get that depending on in class accomidations is a risky business. If you could help pick next years teacher, that might be an alternative. I hope of course that the gifted school comes through and is 'just right' - but the bottom line is that a grade skip is sometimes the 'least - worst' option.

If you want to work on the wishy-washy feeling, write more, here or in private about what exactly you mean by 'it is not enough.' How do you measure if it is enough? What are your benchmarks? I believe you - I just would love to hear exactly how things are going right now for your family.

Smiles,
Grinity

I like this sentence - What are the 4th and 5th grade entrance benchmarks for writing? and also What is needed for DD to demonstrate that her writing ability meets the entrance benchmark for 5th grade?
for a follow up email after they dissagree with you, but I would be sure to pitch the 'I don't agree with your objection' approach first.

What do you think folks? Personally I don't like email for this type of discussion, too easy for them to just 'do nothing' so perhaps best of all is: 'I believe that enterance to 5th next year is the best option for DD - lets have a meeting! What day is good for you? Let's aim to put meet sometime in the next 3 weeks, ok?

Sorry for the Jumbled thoughts - Grinity

hmmm, you have certainly given me something to think about here Grinity. Thanks so much!

I agree that relying e-mail makes it too easy for them to do nothing. I think of schools like insurance companies: have a meeting with a follow up letter so you have something in writing!