Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment WJ-III results; where do I start?

Grinity,

I can't thank you enough for your help and for the help you have given others. I was just poking around on here and found an old post where you posted a list of resources for another kindergarten mom. I can't wait to start reading and preparing for April.

No, they aren't willing to do the IQ testing now, no matter what. I think they are so overwhelmed by his medical needs that they are having a hard time seeing him as a whole person.

I read your post to my husband and we do agree that we have to do this quickly. We will be setting up an appointment for his birthday with the gifted teacher and district coordinator.

btw, I love your footer!

Grinity - You say:
<<I would say the 8 weeks of a child's life is a long time.>> I agree. Look at it as a percentage of his school career - if Kindergarten is about 40 weeks, 8 weeks is 20 percent of the total. A large chunk of time that could make a huge difference to him.

Glad you like the footer - DS14 is on a big Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. kick currently! Have you read Harrison Bergeron? Not to scare you, but..

Is there a law that there are to be no testing and no meetings about acceleration before the 6th birthday. If not I would put a request for WISC IV testing in writting, and ask to schedule a meeting to review the IOWA acceleration scale results in February. Be pleasant but firm. I get that they want the best for you son, remind them that meeting academic needs helps support social and emotional growth - it isn't an either or sort of thing.

Putting it in writing makes the whole thing move more smoothly - no matter what they say verbally, once you write it down on real paper and deliver it 'for his file,' ccing everyone in sight, it becomes a different matter entirely. I'm not sure why, it just often is the case. Whenever they disagree you respond with 'Thanks so much for your consern, I'm so grateful for the care you've given my son. Now please explain exactly why it needs to be as you've outlined.'

Expect to have to do that 1000 times, and to need chocolate afterwards. If your DH is in agreement, and can come to the meetings personally, that also sends the 'we are united and serious' message.

Good luck,
Grinity

Grinity,

That is great advise, and I will do just that. Yes, my dh comes to all of the school meetings. My son's child psychologist (who we see twice a month because of his medical issues) is also extremely supportive and in contact with the school. Thankfully, we have gained a friend in the special ed teacher since this testing and in the district's child psychologist. We are still fighting like crazy for his medical accomodations, and you are absolutely correct in saying how it all has to be in writing. We are learning from our mistakes. First, I have to ensure his safety and health. Hopefully if we can get that ironed out with them before mid-February, I will move on to the additional testing. I will also go back and reread the law.

Mich, very good point. I hadn't looked at it that way. Even if he could move up for morning work during those last 4 weeks (mid-April bday and mid-May dismissal), it would be beneficial to him.

Thank you again. I feel much less anxiety now and more prepared to take this on.

It may just be that they are waiting until he is "old enough" to take the WISC. Maybe they don't have a WPPSI- plus, he would probably ceiling out. The WISC norms start at age 6. Honestly, I would probably just wait in order to get an accurate IQ result.

Is his K teacher very accomodating? My DD had a GREAT K teacher that gave her accelerated work. The K teacher worked with the gifted teachers to pull some harder work for DD and another girl in her class that were far ahead and bored. I had to do a little more work (sending in some books and being more in touch with the teacher), but it was worth it.

Great point about WISC IV being worth waiting for - much better test than WPPSI for a gifted 5 year old.
So my undated recommendation is to get a meeting started to outline the process for the gradeskip and start to fill out the Iowa Acceleration Scale, doing 'everything except the IQ testing' and then the minute he turns 6 get the testing and make the move to the next grade (you can always decelerate in September if the IQ scores come out very discouraging.)

If I remember correctly,according to Iowa, IQ scores aren't needed for an early enterance situation, which this isn't exactly, but pretty close.

Does anyone have the details fresher in their minds?
Grinity