Gifted or Smart? Should I look into formal testing? - Page 2

[delphine]

Well, I met with the principal at school on Friday.  She was able to show me a more in-depth scoring from the Terra Nova.  I am not sure I understand all of it, but it additionally showed the results of an InView test that was part of it.  They do this in 3rd and 7th?? (maybe 6th) grade.  This gives a CSI score, which is supposed to comparable to IQ (though it's not a full scale IQ test, so I have no idea how it correlates to a regular IQ test).  Anyway, he scored 141 on that.  The breakdown with percentiles was:

Sequences:  88th

Analogies:  94th

Quantitative Reasoning;  99th

Total Nonverbal;  98th

Verbal Reasoning - Words:  99th

Verbal Reasoning - Context:  99th

Total Verbal:  99th

Total Score:  99th

PLUS, they did a norming test of the Iowa Test of Basic Skills and Cognitive Abilities Test in the fall and she showed me the results of that.  His scores were all in the upper 90%tiles and his Cognitive Abilities scores were all 99th. 

So, all that is to say, during the meeting we discussed what the best options for him will be.  I mentioned single subject acceleration.  She has some concerns with it logistically but there IS some precedent for it at the school, though it has not been done for several years.  She said she has already had a meeting with the teachers about ds (!?!) and their plan is to accelerate him within the classroom. So, he would basically be doing 5th grade math and reading curriculum in the 4th grade classroom. 

I'm not sure how I feel about that, but I guess we are going to give it a try.  The thing is that I feel like, every year, my husband and I say, "We'll give them one more year" and I'm still not convinced they are really doing anything to truly benefit ds.  So, I am slightly frustrated at this point.

If it were just me, I would be looking at other options.  But, my husband feels strongly about this school for many reasons, and it really is a great fit for our younger son.

Anyway, thanks for all of the suggestions and the input.  The end result of my original question about formal testing is that we are not going to do it at this point. 

[serenbat]

She said she has already had a meeting with the teachers about ds (!?!) 

 this is not bothersome to you DH?

The thing is that I feel like, every year, my husband and I say, "We'll give them one more year" and I'm still not convinced they are really doing anything to truly benefit ds.

I don't think any numbers on tests are really doing to make any changes for you (or your DH)-

Edited by serenbat - 6/6/11 at 2:20pm

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by delphine 
I'm not sure how I feel about that, but I guess we are going to give it a try.  The thing is that I feel like, every year, my husband and I say, "We'll give them one more year" and I'm still not convinced they are really doing anything to truly benefit ds. 

But isn't this the first time that you've communicated with them that you want something more for him?

To me, it seems completely unreasonable to be frustrated at the school for not providing something more when you never ASKED for anything more.

I wouldn't be bothered by them talking about options. They most likely chatted informally about what might work best before talking to you. It's not like like being ahead in math and reading is so shameful the principal shouldn't be able to openly discuss it with his next year teacher.

[ollyoxenfree]

It sounds encouraging that the school recognizes his abilities and wants to address his needs. 

You might feel better after a meeting with next year's teacher and a little more concrete information about how s/he will accommodate him. That may not happen until early in the new school year, once the teacher has had a chance to get to know him a little. It sounds promising though, even if it isn't exactly what you hoped. 

[delphine]

Originally Posted by Linda on the move 

But isn't this the first time that you've communicated with them that you want something more for him?

To me, it seems completely unreasonable to be frustrated at the school for not providing something more when you never ASKED for anything more.

I wouldn't be bothered by them talking about options. They most likely chatted informally about what might work best before talking to you. It's not like like being ahead in math and reading is so shameful the principal shouldn't be able to openly discuss it with his next year teacher.

No, you're right.  I don't think I explained myself very well.  I feel frustrated that there is no "perfect option."  And, probably anxious more about the fact that I want to give DS the best experience he can have, and I worry that we are going to screw up in making choices.  So, not frustrated with the school as much as frustrated by not being sure what the right choice really is.  Does that make sense? 

I am not bothered by them talking about options.  I am glad they are discussing it.  The exclamation points were to show that I was more surprised than anything, because none of the teachers have ever said anything to me about it.  In the past, when I have gone to p-t conferences, the teachers have always said, "he's doing just great...no worries here".  But noone has ever mentioned that they are considering any sort of accelerations. 

While this is the first time I have had a formal meeting with the principal, I have often expressed my concerns about his boredom in the classroom to the teachers and, before 3rd grade, they have responded with concerns about his behavior and have not addressed the academics except to say he's doing great.

[AllisonR]

Originally Posted by delphine 

If it were just me, I would be looking at other options.  But, my husband feels strongly about this school for many reasons, and it really is a great fit for our younger son.

This is a non sequitur. You have two sons, each with their own unique skills, ambitions, personality... The same school may not be best, or even good, for both of them.

I say this as a woman who spent 5 years in a high-brow school that was a horrid fit for me, but a fabulous experience for my older brother and younger sister: One childs educational experience should nto be sacrificed for the good of the other, no matter how convenient it is to have two children in the same school.
 

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by AllisonR 

This is a non sequitur. You have two sons, each with their own unique skills, ambitions, personality... The same school may not be best, or even good, for both of them.

I say this as a woman who spent 5 years in a high-brow school that was a horrid fit for me, but a fabulous experience for my older brother and younger sister: One childs educational experience should nto be sacrificed for the good of the other, no matter how convenient it is to have two children in the same school.
 

I agree with this, and we haven't always done the same thing for the same kid.

However, if the reason you are unhappy with the school is that they didn't offer what you thought you son needed, but didn't ask for, I suspect that you will not be happy with ANY school.

When you asked, they met with you less than a week later and offered more than you had asked for. Few schools do so well so quickly.

[delphine]

Originally Posted by AllisonR 

This is a non sequitur. You have two sons, each with their own unique skills, ambitions, personality... The same school may not be best, or even good, for both of them.

I say this as a woman who spent 5 years in a high-brow school that was a horrid fit for me, but a fabulous experience for my older brother and younger sister: One childs educational experience should nto be sacrificed for the good of the other, no matter how convenient it is to have two children in the same school.
 

Point taken.  You are certainly correct.  In our situation, I haven't found a different solution that I think would be a significant improvement for ds.  But, I do think it's important to eliminate the ease of logistics as a factor when weighing the options. 

[delphine]

Originally Posted by Linda on the move 

I agree with this, and we haven't always done the same thing for the same kid.

However, if the reason you are unhappy with the school is that they didn't offer what you thought you son needed, but didn't ask for, I suspect that you will not be happy with ANY school.

When you asked, they met with you less than a week later and offered more than you had asked for. Few schools do so well so quickly.

Thanks for the reality check.  I truly wasn't trying to express that I am unhappy with the school.  I was pleasantly surprised that they had ds on the radar.  Just that I was not sure if  in class acceleration would be a good plan for ds.  I think it will depend on if they are offering additional content for ds or alternative content, if that makes sense.

My frustration was aimed at not knowing whether I should take a "wait and see" approach and see how the in class acceleration works or I should re-approach him taking math with the older class.  It's more that I am worried that I will tell them I am OK with trying this and then will be in the same situation next year and feel like I didn't do enough to make sure he's getting what he needs academically.  I am just not sure when to push and when to be more flexible.