Need DFW Area Teachers' Opinions -- NEED YOUR HELP ASAP!!! (Amended. See Below)
Updated on
February 03, 2012
M.M.
asks from
Dallas, TX
4
answers
Unfortunately, we can no longer afford to send my 7-year-old to our local private school within RISD.
She is currently in 1st grade, has a Sept. 14 birthday and is already heads and shoulders (both figuratively and literally) above her 1st grade level. (she plays with older kids on our block too. nice girls. not "mean" girls! ;-) )
Her current school does a year advanced, so she will have COMPLETED 2nd grade material in reading as well as math, with some third grade math as well.
I was on the fence about trying to put her into the next grade (she could probably handle the work even now, i.e. 3r grade material)
but do not want her to be around most likely "men" who are 2 years older than she in HS/JrH (red shirting, starting boys later, etc.)
The problem is, public schools will not do subj. specific class changes until Jr. high.
Yes. She will most likely be put into the "REACH" program, but that's only 1 time per week and NOT part of her curriculum,
just supplemental. (not a fan)
What is your advice as possible workarounds in this situation?
I applied for our local magnet school which is where the REACH program is (won't find out until April), but the magnet also would not give her advanced material, just more in-depth math reading problems around, what will be for her, a complete review of what she's already learned this year.
(so much for "raising" the bar to someone's level)
Your "expert" advice is much appreciated. Would like to know if you've also had similar kids, circumstances, etc. What to ask for? Available resources within the system, etc.
Basically, what I"m wanting is for her "school day" time to be well utilized. NOT supplemented with extra extra curricular activities, which she already does, i.e. dance, that we as a family do not have the time nor the resources for.
p.s. What's with the 90 on all subjects for the grade-skip test? I bet if that same test was given to every student at the END of the grade, maybe 1% would actually achieve that. Yet, they get promoted???
Wow. Can't believe anyone thought that I think ANY child is stupid or that I was casting dispersions on YOUR child and all of the great teachers out there.
Where exactly in my questions did I in any way infer that??
In my p.s. I was/am wanting to know the justification for having a higher standard for those possibly skipping a grade than for those who have actually sat in class and NOT have to take the same level of exam. Maybe there is one. I don't know, which is why I am asking. Hello! (Kids only have to maintain a 70 avg. and NOT take a similar exam to advance. Yes. All have to take teks/star or whatever they're calling it now. Not the same thing.)
More Background: my older son never tested low enough for extra help within the public school system here.
They were going to promote him to the next grade even though I knew he had not mastered the material. So we took him out and placed him in a private school where he could repeat without actually repeating as they do a grade ahead and had small enough classes to actually teach to particular kids' needs. What ALL schools should have the opportunity to do.
If the foundation is not sound, how are you supposed to continue to build on it?
Answer: you can't and will only compound the downward spiral for those kids.
I have seen first-hand the effects of that in later years with some neighborhood kids who wind up hating school and dropping out.
Also. I never referred to my child as gifted or talented.
I believe ALL kids are gifted and talented. It is the crazy system that uses those terms.
A system that does not serve the individual needs of ALL kids.
What I was asking and AM asking is advice in how or what is available to my child, your child, or any child that can handle the work and for not have to have them sit there and listen to the same thing again for another year.
(that would and did benefit my son. but my daughter does not need that.)
More Answers
M.M.
answers from
Dallas
on
You can always homeschool. Also, don't confuse bright for intelligent. She's only 7...... Being book smart is TOTALLY different from being gifted. I have had 2 students in Kinder & 2nd grade transfer from private schools, only to find out they have huge gaps and we are having to help close those gaps. Either try out public school before you judge it or homeschool.
Your P.S. was kinda uncalled for and judgmental :( Plus, it is MUCH higher than 1% that achieve 90% or above in the lower grades. In actuality, a large percentage passes with 90% or above on all subjects. What, do you think most kids are stupid?
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J.R.
answers from
Dallas
on
I have my children in a DISD school. Yes I mean Dallas. I have seen several families transfer in with your attitude. Non of the kids were as advanced as their parents thought. A lot had to catch up. My advice would be to relax. Give the school a fair try. If it doesn't work out you can always supplement her education at home
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M.P.
answers from
Dallas
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I do not think you are trying to be judgmental. You just want your child to be challenged. When I was teaching, I had several students that were not really challenged in the regular classroom. I would do extension activities on class projects or give them books at a higher reading level for book clubs. You need to talk with the actual school your child will be attending to see what the classroom teachers do. A once a week pullout program may not be enough. I wish you luck. :)
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L.D.
answers from
Dallas
on
As a former Dallas ISD teacher, here is my answer:
Put her in second grade. Meet with the administrator at the school and express your concerns and ask that she be placed with a teacher who is good at differentiating and challenging students. Meet with the teacher and explain your concerns and your desire for her to continue to advance.
What you should be seeing is your daughter working on open ended assignments that allow her to apply her skills in different ways and move at her own pace. For reading, she will have more difficult books to read. In science, she may do an independent study project. For math, she will have more complex problems to work on. In some situations she may be doing work from a higher grade text book - for example, one of my 5th grade students was using an 8th grade Algebra I textbook in his math class. In my class (social studies) he did the regular assignment and then worked on his own independent study US History project. Although he could have handled 7th or 8th grade work easily, he was really in the right place socially and benefited greatly from working in mixed ability groups.
It is REALLY NORMAL to have a dramatic range of abilities in a classroom, and most teachers are able to take it in stride and meet the children's needs. I think you daughter would be completely fine in a second grade classroom with a good teacher, and would flourish there.
If you are really not comfortable with the situation I described of a differentiated classroom, and want her to complete school in an accelerated manor, your best bet would be to home school her.
