Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Regions looking for something in West Tennessee

Anyone have any leads on where to go in West Tennessee? It has become an almost urgent matter to get our child tested and/or placed in something besides the "normal" public school. Mother's intuition told me to not enroll her in school and to instead homeschool her myself. However, I was pressured my my mother-in-law and husband to put her in public school and I caved! Come to find out out I should have stuck to my guns and homeschooled her! Now what? Does anyone have any leads on where to go? btw, she is 5. Thanks!

If you are anywhere around Memphis I wouldn't know what to tell you. They have a homeschool testing place....it is awful. And the school system is pretty rough. I am not saying there aren't good teachers, but there aren't that many. The few good teachers they have often have to go with the flow because of the politics. I spent my entire childhood in Memphis schools. Since No Child Left Behind the teachers have had to start teaching strictly what will be on test so that the schools stay on the right level and don't get taken over. They also just passed something saying that teachers cannot fail anyone in 3rd grade or under. So, a child can go through 4 years of school without having to learn anything. I am in middle Tennessee now. The public schools are still a little below par. One High School student actually did a government project her senior year on the pursuit of happiness. She covered a poster board with smiling faces and made an A. But they do have some good magnet schools here in middle Tennessee. So, I would say if there are no magnet schools nearby I would try to find someway of homeschooling unless you are in Memphis.....then you are just kind of stuck with what you have. If you are in memphis I would say that Shelby Oaks Elementary is probably your best bet. They have a gifted program and a nice setup. The also encourage reading by giving awards every year.

Hi AMS's Mom -
Don't beat yourself up over it - we all learn the same way you did.
First of all - you can pull her out next week depending on the laws for homeschooling in your state.

2nd you will want testing. I can reccomend:

3 hours from Nashville is
Even if it's 6 hours from where you live, he's just amazing. Just call him on the phone today and see what he thinks.

Meanwhile, read '5 levels of Giftedness'by Deb Ruf to see what 'unusuallness' of giftedness you are dealing with - if your DD is level 3 or over, traveling to someone who gets the more unusual kinds of giftedness makes sense. If she is level 1 or 2 but in a very 'low aiming' district, she can be just as miserable, but maybe your nearest Metro area would be fine.

Check with -
Tennessee Association for the Gifted | TAG
Dec 12, 2009 ... Nonprofit support group advocating for appropriate educational opportunities for gifted, creative, and talented youth in the state.
www.tag-tenn.org/

Also check with -

http://tigernetwork.blogspot.com/

Best Wishes -
Grinity