Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy What would you do? Am I right or am I wrong....

My DS8 is currently in 2nd grade at our local PS. After taking the SCAT through JHU we made the school aware of his test results. They gave him multiple 3rd grade year-end benchmark tests and last week we met with his principal and teacher to hear their "plan". Beginning this week he will remain in his 2nd grade class and go to third for language arts and to the highest differentiated 3rd grade math class. Their plan is for him to go to 4th grade next year instead of 3rd.

The school obviously has to make available to him the 3rd grade math textbook/workbook and 3rd grade reading book - I would hope. They have sent me the information on the 3rd grade science and social studies books so that I can purchase them. I asked for them during our meeting last week and was told I would have to purchase them. Now, 3rd grade social studies is huge in our state. Our state test weighs this info very heavily. I am a bit peeved as he will miss exposure to the 3rd grade social studies curriculum due to to an Educational Plan devised by his school. I do not think it's outrageous that they supply him with a textbook for the year so that we can go through it together.

I called about the social studies and science textbooks yesterday - $100 plus shipping and that doesn't include any of the workbooks.

To me, it seems like they are willing to place him where he needs to be but are unwilling to deal with the ramifications of such a move. Am I right to feel this way? Am I being unreasonable?

wow! great problems to have! i think if you have the cash then just spend it - if not - tell them. it seems like he may not really need to read up on what the other kids did. maybe you can borrow the books in the summer or buy an older edition online for much less cash. consentrate on the positives and journal all the ways you've been treates unthoughtfully in your life. Congratulations!

Would anything like www.studyisland.com help? It would allow him to go over the material for the entire grade level and costs about $50 for a year. We use it in the summer to make sure we have covered everything for a given year based on my state GLCE's. It is customized to each individual state. If he knows the material already he would quickly complete that area.

I think your feelings are valid but can see the schools side as well. Congratulations on getting a plan!

Can you look up the subject requirements for 3rd grade on your state website and generically go through the requirements. The test will not be exactly what is in the textbook. Also if you have used book stores in your area look in there for old textbooks. You can even find teacher's textbooks that has the standards outlined. If this doesn't work you could go to a local university in your area that has a teaching program and use their library. You might be able to check out the textbooks from them. But I wouldn't get too locked on having the exact textbook used in class. Just work with the state guidelines. Anything that is specific will be easy to teach and the more generic ones are reinforced over all grade levels.