Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Update on school, and online math programs?

Had our follow-up meeting with ds5's principal, K teacher, and the school gifted teacher.

Reading: Ds is in a "high" reading group (DRA 26 or something) with about 4 other Kers; they meet once or twice a week. Ds will now be doing related work all five days a week, which will be great for him. I'm super happy about that.

Math: This is where it gets sticky. They *won't* let him do math pullouts because he didn't meet their criteria on his MAP assessment (never mind his 99.9 percentile math composite on the WIAT). They're doing a lot of enrichment, but I told them flat out that I'd like to see him on a progressive curriculum rather than piecemeal enrichment. When they didn't have any ideas, I suggested an online program (they use things like Starfall.com in the classroom anyway). They seemed somewhat receptive to that, so I'm going to look around and see what I can find. I think that might even be a better solution for now, as he'll be able to work at his own pace.

We're starting the IAS process, though the principal is dragging her feet ... I asked to start three weeks ago, and she's still telling me she has to reorder the kit. When pressed for a date, she said a week or two.

The most irritating thing is that the gifted teacher, though she's been present for two meetings, still has not even MET ds! The gifted teacher, we're told, does not work with Kers, and there are no gifted services for Kers, regardless of ability.

Because, apparently, they start to *really* be gifted in first grade or something.

But, I asked that she spend some time with him, and she agreed. I also found out that they've been having the psychologist keeping an eye on him, due to his spacey behavior. This makes me happy, as I'd rather know if he's just scatterbrained or if he has attention problems. I'm 98% sure he's just scatterbrained/off in his little world, but I'm glad they're following up on it. However, it would have been nice if they'd maybe told us about it. I asked for a report on what the psychologist has to say, and to be informed in the future of anyone else who's keeping tabs on ds.

Anyway, it went well. My favorite part was when I said that while we appreciate all the enrichement, we'd like to see ds learn something this year; all the enrichment, even their "challenge" work, has been -- not a challenge for him. His K teacher responded, "Well, we're just not able to differentiate like that; there are the other children that we also need to be working with."

"Well," I said, "that's why we're looking at full-grade acceleration. It would be less work for everyone." I think that kind of hit home with them.

I also got in a few other great one-liners, like when they said we should "let him be 5." I answered with, "Well, this *is* his 5; even though this isn't the 5 that most kids have, it's ds's 5, and we'd like to work with him where he's at."

Also, I have to say a HUGE thank you to this board; I felt much more confident going in to this last meeting, and much more confident making myself heard. Thank you, ladies!

And now, a question: I'm looking at progressive online math programs that ds could do at school and, if appropriate, at home. He's probably comfortably beginning of second grade level, maybe a snitch higher; he understands lots of higher topics, but I'd like to minimize gaps so he'll do all right on their ruddy MAP. Does anyone have any suggestions? It's my understanding that ALEKS starts with third grade, is that right?

Thanks, ladies!

Mia

Mamma Mia!

Wow! Way to ask for what you need! Aleks has a free trial, I would start that now. What does 3rd grade mean? You can use it as a platform for teaching just as well as for a self-instruction method. You won't create gaps by starting Aleks from their begining. Did you get the Singapore Math books? In some ways a set of books that he can do during Math class and bring home for you to check may be as good as an online Math class, so you can be the pacer. ((Did you start that already?))

The good news is that within 3 months he will be eating that MAP test for lunch - Oh the perils of NOT HOThousing!

I loved it when you said:

and


It sure does worry me that they have been monitoring him behind your back - so glad you demanded that they keep you in the loop.

Here's the hard part -
A) if at all possible, get it in writing that they can't meet his needs - Was XH there? Better if this comes from a Male (sad to say)


B) (Your Role as good cop:)
Now that you are walking out of the great meeting, I would ask them to read your 'notes' and let you know if they heard the same thing you heard. I have found that many meetings end happily, only to find that nothing gets done as promised, because they didn't percieve that they agreed to do anything!

Top of my list is that they will give you a report of what their psychologist 'finds' ((Not that you should believe what they write down, but you have to know what they are doing/thinking. Other disagree, but I firmly believe that ONE CAN NOT evaluate for pathology in the child when the child is in a pathological school setting. And it is a very rare and special school that can see any 'blame' placed with their own program!))

2nd is this related work in reading.
3rd is that the IAS will be used.
4th - Gifted teacher will meet with him within the month and evaluate if she can help set up a program to help met his needs.
5th - Math alternative.

Brace yourself - even if you rewrite this memo politely and keep it short and sweet, they may say, "Oh, we didn't promise to do that, those were just ideas we were tossing out."

I wouldn't use email - to easy to "loose" - rather drop off copies for the classroom teacher and Principal and GT teacher. It is very intimidating, so be sure to pleasant it up with "writing is such an important part of clear communication, isn't it?"

Anyway, good luck! Great Job! And the reading group sounds good!

Smiles,
Grinity

I get so angry with the "why don't you just let him be a kid" ("let him be 5") comments.

Hi, Mia,

FYI, both CTY and EPGY start an online accelerated math program at kindergarten level. Your DS would qualify based on the test scores he's already taken for either program (CTY doesn't require the SCAT for kids first grade and younger and Stanford will accept the scores). Also, fyi, both JHU and Stanford use Stanford's EPGY software at this level - and Stanford charges less for the same thing. My guy is doing EPGY for language arts and loves the fact that it charts his progress through the grade.

I'd suggest you take a look at the Stanford EPGY website, and see if it's something the school will allow during school, or something affordable for you to try at home: http://epgy.stanford.edu/courses/math/M0WA/

Good job with the school. You're inspiring me.

One other thought - since your DS is maybe at the beginning of second grade, maybe you should try the CTY Elementary Problem Solving I. When he completes it, he's ready for accelerated 3rd grade EPGY with either provider. And the prerequisite is completion of first grade math, I believe. Also, thought I'd mention that progress through these elementary distance learning programs is quick, assuming your DS has the time. We don't do them as often as we should, as DS already homework and after school activities, too.

I have nothing productive to add, but I wanted to say this:

WA-HOOO!

You go, girl! I'm telling you, you should be a professional advocate for GT kids! Great work.

Write the follow-up letter Grinity suggests, and stay on 'em, but I think you did amazingly well in there!

Wow. You did really well. Can I hire you to talk to my son's school? You made a really good point about the acceleration. Either he is not that far ahead and they can accommodate him or it's too much for them and then grade skip is the right choice. Great job on that one.

I say try Alex at home and see if he likes it. I like the idea of Singapore books since it's something you can check at home, but also something you can take with you to the next meeting.


Oh yeah. No gifted kids till the 1st grade and then they will all even out by the 3rd You would have thought that after the 1st meeting she would at least check on him.

Thank you all! I was pretty happy. :-)

Sorry to post and run last week; we're off on vacation at Disney now! We'll be back early in the week and I'll do more responding then. It's not fun to type on my phone!

:-D

Hi Mia!

No math advice for you but, way to go on the meeting! Can I borrow a few of your one-liners? I tend to err on the polite side and then think of the good lines as I am driving home!

Anyway, good news!

Have fun on your trip and I look forward to updates.

Also, thanks for introducing me to this board. I would "B" lost without it!;) .. get the hint???

Jamie

Happy trails! It's supposed to get down to 2 degrees tonight, so I'll be defrosting my freezer (because I can put the frozen food on the back deck when it's this cold) while you're off enjoying sunshine and Mickey Mouse.

<pout!>