Do I live in a void?

Ellen - posted on 02/09/2009

I would happily pay for the enrichment needed. Our PTA has policy that they will pay forthings that impact the largest % of the population - gifted is not in that range. We have laws that say GT services have to be offered, but there is no definition as to what that means. There is no funding for it so schools go a little light there. Right now my hope is in the super intendent. He'snoticed that our gifted population is our highest drop out population. Fingers crossed!

Megan - posted on 02/09/2009

Tammy- Another IL mom here. I just pulled my son out of the public school and transfered him to a montessori school because they wouldn't do anythin with him neing gifted. The school district wouldn't do anything and we were advised to sue the school district to pay for part or all of my son's education because they have been unwilling to do anything. We asked the teacher and the AT teacher to give him extra work but could tell that nothing was being implemented. Out of frustration we looked elseand found a school about 20 min. from us. The tuition is high but they're able to let him go as far as he wants in math and science as his goal is to go to IMSA. He's already signed up for their summer school program. Good luck with everything.

Tammy - posted on 02/08/2009

Ellen- I was very fortunate to have great teachers.  Probably because we are a small farm community and they  have known her and her siblings since birth.  I know in Illinois it is the law that they have to provide education at the childs level wether SpecEd or gifted.  I got involved with PTO and every other organization at school and it really helped.  It wasn't easy cause I'm a single momof 5 and work full time,  but having a group of moms on your side helps tremendously plus you know the administration on a better level.  Our PTO does alot of funding of extra activities and I hate to say it but money talks.

Ellen - posted on 02/07/2009

Jamie - your program looks great! I'm definitely showing that to a few officials.

Tammy - that was my son's problem, but they weren't providing intervntions to address it. Then they were punishing him daily for his off task behavior and expecting things to change.

I do rely on the kindness of the teachers a lot, but more and more I'm getting the response "I don't have to". It's not fair to these kids to not get help when they need it. Also - this population has been identified as our disticts highest drop out rate. They have to do something to get to these children early. Gifted children are as unique as their finger prints. Some need acceleration, others enrichment, most a combination of such. Our gifted programs should acknowledge that.

We did have an offer when Z was in kinder to drive him 45 mnutes to another school for the IB program. We held off because he wanted to go to school with the kids from our neighborhood. He just wanted to make friends. They have since opened another IB campus closer to our home, but they are still trying to get the campus plan together.

Jamie - posted on 02/07/2009

I am in Louisiana and our gifted department is under the special education department.  We have IEPs here but really all mine says is that they have to provide enrichment for my son.  I will try to get a copy of our IEP and let you know what it says. 

By law in our state it says that gifted children have to be provided with an education that is at their level.  I'm not sure if all states have a law like that.  I have to say that my son is only in Pre-K but is not getting an education anywhere near his level right now.  He's in a private school right now but next year he's going to a public school and I'm hoping to have better luck.  In our parish there are only a handfull of kids under 3rd grade in gifted so it's really hard to find any information about the programs available for him.

Here is the link to the gifted department in my parish:

http://www.lpssonline.com/site365.php

Tammy - posted on 02/07/2009

I live in Illinois and I asked my school to start a gifted or accelerated program for my daughter.  She was becoming a little disruptive becasue she had all her homework done and was already way ahead of her class in everything.  I didn't want to skip a grade because she had great friends in her class.  We are from a very small school and they did set up a gifted program for an hour a day and they can take high school math in 7th grade.  Most things were unofficial such as teachers requesting books through the library for her and going out of their way to make sure she was challanged.  I do have to say that we have some good teachers and 3 out of 50 of our freshmen were accepted to Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy.   It's more about being creative and not waiting for the school to act.

Kira - posted on 02/07/2009

I live in South Eastern PA.  I'd say all the districts around us all have gifted programs of some sort.  In our school district, the gifted IEP is very different from the special ed IEP.  We don't get accommodations for learning, because usually it isn't necessary.  (there are opportunities for any student to take accelerated math in starting in 7th grade)  It's more of an enrichment program in elementary and middle school.  We set up goals every year for our daughter that are not necessarily academic. Most gifted children have quirks that need to be addressed.  My daughter is extremely disorganized and overly sensitive (she used to cry at school almost everyday)  The kids in our school district leave the classroom once a week for advanced learning outside the regular curriculum. They discuss things like mythology and philosophy and build rockets and play lateral thinking games.  They don't have special classes in English, Social Studies or Language for the gifted students until high school and they have to have a gifted IEP to attend.  That is mainly why we had her tested.  Otherwise, I think gifted kids enrich themselves because they are so eager to learn.  I don't really know much about the 504, but I thought it was for student with an impairment.  I do know of students who are both special ed and gifted at our school, but that's fairly unusual.  If your school can't or won't provide enrichment for your child, you can probably do that yourself.  You know better what your child's needs and strengths are.  But good luck getting it into your school's curriculum!

Ellen - posted on 02/05/2009

SpEd does and I teach SpEd. Already went that route. Had to take a back door and get a funky diagnosis to start a 504. Did notice in the last school board meeting notes a policy change that may effect this. Said something about IEP's including accelerated instruction. I will be dancing and singing if that's really what they intended. I guess I could always ask one of the members I chat with frequently or the super that I see a lot. Maybe when I see them next. I know SpEd will have a full out heart attck over it. There are many who feel that gifted do ot need the playing field leveled for them. If they only knew!

Molly - posted on 02/05/2009

Someone just mentioned that to me the other day too. Don't know where to start and not sure that I need to do it since my dd's teacher recognizes  her ability and is willing to make accomodations for her.

Who writes IEPs in your district?  I'd start asking in that dept.   Good luck!