Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Meeting today: which option would you choose?

We had a great meeting with the middle school (gifted coordinator, guidance counselor, district superintendent, current 4th grade teacher, middle school prinicpal and mom and dad) to discuss the plan for DD10's acceleration into 6th.

Background: Currently takes 6th grade gifted reading,gifted math (within grade) and regular other classes. WISC-IV GAI is 156, Explore tested 22 composite with 25 in english and reading, 21 science, 17 in math. Putting plan in place to transition to 6th grade in fall. In the middle school, math and science are tied by level (you cannot do a higher science without a higher level math and they explained why. It made sense.)

Option A: all standard 6th grade classes. They feel the transition to 6th grade for any child is hard enough, and combined with a grade skip could be doubly hard. Would give her time to settle in, build up math (whichi isn't at a 6th grade advanced or gifted level) and in the first quarter, assuming a happy transition, move her to gifted reading, literature and social studies. Math and Science would be at grade level. End of the year she would move to all gifted classes (except for math which would be advanced but not the gifted-2 yr-ahead class). Disadvantages: she'd have to spend a quarter in easier classes, and even when moved to gifted reading, would essentially be repeating the course work if not the books. Advantage is it make the transition easier. She needs confidence in math, depsite her high test scores. It is also possible that she'd be challenged enough with just plain 6th grade (although we know the reading would be too easy. I mean, she completed 6th grade gifted reading this year with an A).

Option B: Gifted social studies, reading and literature, standard math and science. She'd continue in this track until the end of the year, and move to all gifted except for math (it would be advanced) in 7th grade. The end result is the exact same for A and B. The only difference is where she starts. Some concerns from the school on diving in too fast, and potentially have to move back down to standard classes if the pace, homework and just the whole change is overwhelming. DD10 can get frustrated and is a perfectionist. She might struggle more than she envisions. The school said they have no doubts she'd do well, but it might be too much too soon.


The school feels strongly it is better to start in A and move to B after a short transition period. They spent a great deal of time outling the positives and negatives to both (I received a full written sheet for each option). Kudos to the school for being sensitive and wanting her to be well rounded and emtionally ok and not just academically challenged. I appreciated that. I am leaning toward A.

I'd lean more to B if she'd be repeating the same books.
Not that I don't re-read books but there's so much good literature for her still to meet.

It seems you have a very smart kid and thoughtful and competent school team!

My kids attended a school that turned on the fire hose in 6th grade regarding homework and projects. Also, the tests were suddenly challenging for science and history in particular. If you happen to know what the rigor of the other courses will be, it could help solidify your decision. Although the material wasn�t overly difficult, the challenge became out-put, time management and multi-tasking during 6th grade. A good indicator may be if summer homework is assigned.

Also, a 17 in math at 10 is not bad. My son had the same score at 10, received math subject acceleration, and then got a 24 at 11. It may seem like a relative weakness, but she might still benefit from acceleration.
Of course, I�m sure you have more data than Explore only.

I�m glad you have two good choices!

There was a third option, option C, that allowed her to go to 7th grade reading. because of the scheduling, she'd also have to do all her art, PE, music, etc with 7th graders. It caused all sorts of scheduling problems and I didn't like the massive moving around it required. No one in the room, we parents included, liked that one. The school has offered the reading and library specialists to work with her reading teacher (standard and gifted) to provide different books along the same genre. DD loves to read, read, read, so to me, this will be her "easy A" class.

I wish I could attach the optins as written by the school. I think you'd be impressed in how thorough they are.

Based on all the discussions, I think 6th grade is going to be a challenge in all areas.

Try being around a few seventh graders for awhile and determine what you think. I am around a few at this moment and am thinking about how difficult it would be for a kid who is younger to be around them. The vocabulary they learn may not be what you would like. They are really different.

Yay! Sounds like they'll work with you if unanticipated problems come up with either choice.

One of the options we all rejected involved her going to the 7th grade for reading but that would mean she would also go to 7th grade of PE. I didn't like that at all.

That's a hard one. Since both options lead to the same place, I guess it would depend on how adaptable my child was. Does she need the time with the easy work while she's learning how to "do middle school?" If not I'd lean toward option B.

It's great that you're being offered choices!

Nothing to add except I'm really, really impressed with your school. How can schools be sooooo very different? Our school won't even entertain acceleration.

Case in point, I got a note from my Aunt whose DS is a Ker in another district. The teacher initiated testing and initiated skipping first and going into 2nd next year. Nothing was initiated by my Aunt. Teacher constantly keeps her informed about what level DS is working at and what the next concepts she will introduce will be. I can only shake my head and turn green with envy.

Adding my kudo's for your school. It is nice to read some positive things schools are offering.

Will she be moving on to the middle school from elementary school? The transition is a big one. If that is the case I would personally take the one the school is strongly behind A than B, so she can get her feet under her so to speak. It might not be the perfect academic fit but it will offer her more of a chance to find a niche in relation to her new peers. The school seems to be very sensitive and accomadating to her academic needs and nothing has to be written in stone and can't be adjusted.

Good Luck.