My 7 year old DD is VERY smart. What do I suggest at a VERY unsupportive school?

Question

We are in a FAILING school. They didnt pass the No Child Left Behind act for the past 2 years. We had our house on the market for an entire year last year and it didnt sell. We're putting it back on the market on the spring, so please dont mention that. With the sucky housing market, it just isnt selling right now.

So more about the situation. In October of Kindergarten she was reading at a 3rd grade level and would have been eligible for the Gifted program, but the school doesnt offer it until 3rd grade (I think..). So what the school did is sent her to 1st grade from 9-1 every day (K was only 8:30-11:10 daily).

In February of 1st grade (2007) she was reading at a 5th grade level. She's also very smart at math, but Im not sure of the level she's at. The school had her in an advanced reading class, but that was it. The principal REFUSED to advance her, thinking she wouldn't be socially/emotionally advanced enough.

Ok, so now onto this year. Its only day 3 of school, so I dont want to start annoying the new teacher already. There is also a new principal, so should I bring up skipping a grade again? My daughter is just amazing with school and learning.

I am in NO way racist or anything like that, but we live in a predominately Hispanic area. On the "report card" for the school, it said 11% white and 65% Hispanic, with 31% being "limited english proficient rate" and 71% being low income rate (I am NOT saying that all the that 71% low income are Hispanic. Im sure some of those are white too). So we have the option to send her to another local school, but ALL of the other ones suck too!!! We cant afford private. Give me options to ask about at our current school???

Answer 1

If your daughter excels in academia, the principal may be right -- she might have problems on the social end of being allowed to skip a grade or two.

I think you have a few options here -- talk to the superintendent of schools since you're not getting any answers from the principal.  If that doesn't work, perhaps you can find someone who tutors kids and who will work with your daughter after school or on weekends?  It sounds like a lot of extra schooling to me, though.

You could always check out private schools in your area and see what they have to offer.

Also, in many areas of the country, we are eligible to send our kids to any school in our area, as long as we get them there.  So perhaps switching to another school could be an option?

I hope it works out.

Answer 2

Have you considered homeschooling her?

Some people are hesitant when they first think about it, because they do not know much about it.  However, homeschooling has many pros and only one con-dealing with people who know nothing about it and perpetuate myths such as a lack of socialization, inability to succeed, etc.

I homeschool my fifth and third graders, and if I can help you at all please contact me via my profile.  There is also a homeschool category here at Yahoo! Answers, under the Education and Reference section.

I wish you the best!

Answer 3

First of all, No Child Left Behind is caca. My son goes to a school that was a Blue Ribbon School in 2004-05, then last year they got a nasty gram because they didn't improve at least two percentage point in 05-06 or 06-07. I mean really -- improve from the 95th percentile? WTF?

It is very common for schools of all quality to send children who are highly capable to an advanced grade for reading, as reading is the main focus of the primary grades. It's also very common not to have "giftedness" programming until 3rd-4th grade.

Yes, I think you may be in a school with too much focus necessarily spent on those with "limited English proficiency" and they don't have the funding to challenge highly capable children like yours.

If it was me, I would...

1) Start applying to private schools now along with the financial aid packages, or at least looking around and finding out when their 09-10 packages come out and marking that on my calendar.

2) For this year, go to the new principal with any test scores and work samples you have and ask if she can be moved up to third grade. Many children who skip a grade, skip the second grade.  If he refuses, ask what services are available through the AEA (area education association) etc. to challenge her at her level. Say you want to work with the school on a plan that will be cost-effective (I know you don't care about cost effective but acting like you're on their side will help) but also educationally appropriate.

Good luck with both!

Answer 4

I am so sorry for this. if the school refuses to support you then to h**l with them. Go to a gifted school where the school can support you.  

Answer 5

I'm so sorry to hear your situation but, I, like you, are in the same boat and hope someone gives you advice that I can steal too.  Good luck

Answer 6

consider the other education options available in your area.  look at private & charter schools.

Answer 7

You have no options at your current school.

Schools are not set up to teach exceptional students, whether they are gifted, learning disabled, or have some other special need.

Many parents in your situation find that homeschooling is in their child's best interests.  This site: http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/webl... will give you more information.

All the best.

Answer 8

kids need to be socially and emotionally ready to skip ahead. Your child may be smart but if she is moved ahead too fast then she will be an unhappy little girl with no friends as 10 year olds do not want to hang out with 7 year olds.  Perhaps homeschooling is an option for you but have her involved with extra curricular activities with kids her own age

Answer 9

Don't have an answer for you about the school itself and what to say - we had a bad school and now homeschool.

Answer 10

I think that you are in a very tough situation, in that you are having trouble selling your home.  As far as your daughter is concerned, I have to say that I agree with the principal about advancing her and skipping grades; this is very rarely done nowadays.  Try to picture your daughter in seventh grade, when other kids are ready for dating, are developing physically; if you advance her by a year, she will be feeling very immature compared to her peers and she may not be ready for the social and emotional parts of school.

Because you are aware of how bright your daughter is, you can do a lot yourself to keep her challenged.  Ask your teacher or another professional (a librarian maybe?) to recommend books at her reading level.  Encourage her to write stories on her own, or to do creative writing like making up a newspaper.  Get her lessons (if you can afford this) in music, foreign language or art.  Maybe you can find an older student that you can hire inexpensively to do projects with her.  

Your school is struggling; they would LOVE to be more successful, but they don't have the resources to do that.  Legally, public schools are responsible for providing appropriate grade level curriculum, not bringing every child up to whatever advanced potential they may have. Until there is enough money, enough technology, enough staff and enough time, public schools can barely provide what is mandated by law, much less more.