How do public school kids who are delayed in one area and very advanced in another?

[Anonymous]

It is becoming apparent that our kids are like us. They struggle with language and reading but excel at spatial and math concepts. My youngest has a mild speech delay which may later on create some difficulties learning to read. He tests way beyond his age in other areas such as cognition etc.

My oldest is 5.5 and struggling to learn how to read but very advanced in all math areas. She goes to a Montessori school which works well now. They have a broad range in each area so when a child masters something they can keep expanding so she doesn't get bored with math. Since there is a bigger age range she doesn't feel left out that everyone is reading though everyone her age is reading and has been for the past year. More importantly she doesn't get held back in all areas since she is struggling with one.

I'm worried when they hit public school that it is more of an all or nothing approach across the board. What happens to a kid that is at the bottom in language but at the top in math? I've talked to some parents who have me more worried. They told me the primary testing focus is on reading/language skills while math and science is very basic and not emphasized.

[Anonymous]

What public schools?

[Anonymous]

Montgomery County

[Anonymous]

you may try on the special needs forum, but I seem to remember that MoCo has a "twice gifted" program. I may have the wording wrong but basicly for those kids who might have some special needs but are also gifted in other areas.

[Anonymous]

Montgomery county has a general practice, beginning I think in 1st grade, of grouping kids by ability for math instruction, so that a bunch of 1st graders will be doing 2nd grade math, and 2d graders will be doing 3rd grade math. I don't know if it's limited to one grade ahead or not (but I don't think it is).

They spend a lot of time on math, at least after K, but I agree science is not particularly emphasized right now (although that may change as more standards in science come down the pike).

[Anonymous]

In addition to what the PP described with grouping, there are pull out services. If the child is having a difficult time, they will be given time with a special education instructor for extra help in the subject matter. If the difficult is severe, you might want to consider asking for an EMT and an assessment to see if the child qualifies for an IEP, which would formalize the services.

This is probably early for you to be thinking of this now, but it's harder to get extra help in middle school, so if the delay is going to interfere with learning and/or mean that accommodations are in order, you want to get an IEP before middle school.

[Anonymous]

At our MoCo school, kids not meeting reading standards are pulled out in small groups for extra instruction. These are intended to be temporary groupings (and are no longer needed after some weeks or months for most kids). Kids are pulled out of the classroom for all sorts of things, so I wouldn't think there would be any stigma involved.

And as another pp mentioned, math differentiation begins in earnest in 1st grade (though kindergarten teachers may also do it informally). MoCo is very math oriented--if you read other threads, you'll see that many parents are actually concerned that some kids are accelerated too quickly in math without having full comprehension. For kids whose strength is math, this is less of an issue, obviously!

At our school at least, we have been very happy with how teachers have addressed our child's strengths and weaknesses both.

If there is a learning disability involved, here's the link to that info:

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/enriched/mcpsprograms/gtld/index.shtm

[Anonymous]

MoCo has a twice exceptional program....gifted and learning disabled. I think you can find info on their gifted and talented website.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MoCo has a twice exceptional program....gifted and learning disabled. I think you can find info on their gifted and talented website.

The link above is for this program:
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/enri...d/mcpsprograms/gtld/index.shtm

[Anonymous]

Re your youngest -- MoCo has an early intervention program you might want to check out. Don't know if your DC is eligible, but one cool thing about EI is that your kid my be done with special ed by the time real school starts, so there's never the experience of being behind or struggling. Here's the link: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/pep/description.shtm

There are programs at a variety of different MoCo elementary school sites.

[Anonymous]

OP, my kids are just like yours and I wonder more about stereotyping based on poor reading skills. If that teacher makes an assessment of reading and finds a problem, then are they going to be fair and objective when it comes to math and advance the child appropriately? Are they going to see this child's strenghts?

[Anonymous]

Math strength is really obvious (and easily assessed) -- plus the smart at math/language delays combo is a familiar one, so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

It gets trickier when you a GT/LD kid whose strength and weakness are in the same/related areas -- e.g. a very language-oriented kid (wired for sound) who is also dyslexic). Sometimes what happens is that the kid develops compensating mechanisms that enable them to do the work well enough that no one suspects an LD but at the same time they never get the full use of their gift (that is to perform at highest level they're capable of). Again, this is something that can be assessed -- but a classroom teacher, seeing no problem (kid's performing above grade level), might not ask for an assessment. So having a parent who spots the issue early and advocates for an assessment can make a big difference.

[Anonymous]

A twice exceptional child will be a challenge to educate due to their unique learning styles but luckily MoCo is one of the few counties with programs to address their needs. On a happier note....your child has a unique mind and that's a special thing....enjoy it!

[Anonymous]

It will be easier said than done, OP. I wish you luck.