Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Advice Needed Urgent...

Two weeks before school was out, the high school principal notified me that my son had not met the deadlines on his assignments and accused him of insubordination. The principal stated my son will be exited from the Gifted program. I received no notifications from the teacher about this problem. My son has the highest GPA in the high school, and has never been in trouble prior to this. His IEP annual review is next September. Please advise me on what I need to do to stop this from happening.

was the notification in writing. I would write or email (something where you have a record of your communication) and state that you would like the school to give you all of the reasons and facts behind this decision in writing. While you wait for that try to connect with the teacher and also find out what is going on with your son. Also, start reading every district policy (and state statutes) that relate to gifted education - and also on discipline and the routes to challenge disciplinary actions (these are unlikely to be gifted specific). I would start there, and I would try to get the principal's response within 10 days or so.

keep us posted. Cat

I would suggest for the time being to swallow what you are feeling and be a detective, polite, but firm, detective

Go gently ask the teacher(s) what has been happening. Show your concern for your son and for the teacher, like "hope he hasn't been a lot of trouble..." -- what is the problem? how can you help? etc etc etc

Make mental notes, take some notes.

AFter meeting with teacher(s) write/type down everything.

Also, if you can, meet with principal. Bring a friend or spouse if you can. Again, no matter how "emotional" or "strange" the other person gets, keep your composure. You're the detective first to figure out what is going on first. Don't take no for an answer. You deserve to get a meeting.

After all meetings/chats/phone calls/ -- always take down all the notes.

Because if they don't give you the facts in writing, you want to hear it from them, and you put it into writing ... if it is beneficial to you.

Just some ideas. It may or may not work in your situation. Hope some others come to offer advice. Best of luck. Let us know how it goes...

Some states use an IEP for gifted kids, other states only give IEP for kids with a disability (twice exception) and certian disabilities do have behavioral components. If there is a twice exceptional issues that you think might have something to do with this disiplinary action, try to contact the diagnosising doctor and see if she or he can help.

Other than that, take lots of notes, vent here, and not at school, try to act calm and 'businesslike.' Be the Detective!

Love and More Love,
Grinity

I was unaware my son wasn't meeting his goal until school was almost over. I never heard from the teacher, only received an email from the principal requesting a meeting to exit my son from the program; Kansas has IEPs for gifted students. This could possibly be a personal vendetta against me, which is worrisome. Thanks for your advice.

((Hugs))
That is worrisome.
Does your son's school post grades online? If so, you might want to make a printout of that right quick.
grimity

What grade is your son in? Might this be a 'one door closes and another one opens' situation? Were his needs being met in the current gifted program? Can he take 'AP track' classes without being in the gifted program? Would he be happier homeschooling with classes at the local Community College or University anyway? Was he happy in the first place?

Can you back up and give us the bigger picture? Don't be afraid of writing too much (as long as it doesn't give away you identity) - even if we don't help much, I find that the act of writing for a group that really cares can be very helpful.

Love and More Love,
grinity

How is funding done in KS?

Does it come from local tax base, the state, or a mix?

There are also ways to put school administrators in hot water by appealing to the elected officials who control the hiring and firing or the money.

Once you have all the information, consider going to your elected officials.

The first thing I would do would be to go through the policies regarding gifted IEP's in your state in detail, then your district policies. Usually there is some form of notification necessary from the school, besides just- your out. Make sure to check your copy of the IEP first. I would also refuse to sign anything regarding his IEP . If you have already there still might be a way to petition. My understanding was that KS was the only state where gifted was included under IDEA, has that changed since I last read about it in the fall? If that is the case you have a lot more ground underneath you.

I would also request a list of assignments, both completed and not, from the teacher, in writing since it should be part of his school record.

I have a few more ideas but would need a little more info. about the situation.