above average kids but not "advanced"

[Anonymous]

Op, look beyond school for enrichment. Find a serious music teacher, for example and have DC take piano lessons. Compete and be judged. Develop other talents. Other ways DC can distinguish themselves. Your big concern is DC is not being challenged. Turn this around ... school can be the relaxing part of the day.

[Anonymous]

OP, as a parent of two grown children, please don't obsess over this (as I did!)

Just encourage, love, and support your child. A few moments of boredom is not the worst thing in the world. Your child is not likely to miss out on success because of one year in school.

But, you need to see what you really want for your child. Competition is not always the best thing for a child. Some thrive on it--and, it sometimes shuts others down.

I've seen kids who were the "stars" in elementary school shut down in high school. And, vice versa. Some just get moving in middle/high school. If your definition of success is for your kid to be the top of every scale, you will likely be disappointed. If you want a well balanced kid, then think about how to get there.

[Anonymous]

We are at a Center school, but due to an IEP for autism and ADHD, and writing challenges, we chose to not appeal DS's AAP denial. In grade 4, after the BOY math test, they asked if We'd ok him being pulled into AAP for math. We okayed it. In 5th, though he was borderline on the BOY math test to join AAP again (and he passed advanced) his teacher and Special Ed teacher felt him being with 1 teacher was better for him. I took their advice. After doing regular 5th grade math last year, he scored in the 90's on the end of 6th assessment he took this August. (Also scored in the high 500's on the 5th SOL). His teachers felt he really should go back to advanced math. He's doing great so far. I guess my point is that I'd ask if there was any flexibility. I told his teachers I was worried he'd have gaps, but they're convinced he's doing well. I really appreciate that our school is flexible with non AAP students. I know that DD's good friend who is not in AAP comes to her AAP class for math. They're in 5th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are at a Center school, but due to an IEP for autism and ADHD, and writing challenges, we chose to not appeal DS's AAP denial. In grade 4, after the BOY math test, they asked if We'd ok him being pulled into AAP for math. We okayed it. In 5th, though he was borderline on the BOY math test to join AAP again (and he passed advanced) his teacher and Special Ed teacher felt him being with 1 teacher was better for him. I took their advice. After doing regular 5th grade math last year, he scored in the 90's on the end of 6th assessment he took this August. (Also scored in the high 500's on the 5th SOL). His teachers felt he really should go back to advanced math. He's doing great so far. I guess my point is that I'd ask if there was any flexibility. I told his teachers I was worried he'd have gaps, but they're convinced he's doing well. I really appreciate that our school is flexible with non AAP students. I know that DD's good friend who is not in AAP comes to her AAP class for math. They're in 5th.

This is what we did. Both of my boys are very different versions of 2E and both are math/science oriented. For them, the one thing they really needed was the advanced math, everything else was kind of extra. One is HFA. One has multiple LDs. The one with HFA ended up taking 7th Honors Math and ended with BC Calculus in 12th grade (he tookAP Stats that same year as an elective). The one with multiple LDs, took Algebra Honors in 7th and finished with Multivar/matrix in 12th. Both are in college now and doing well. The one with HFA is majoring in engineering and I cannot believe th social progress he has made. I think I am more proud/grateful for that than his academic success in his major.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP,

Here is a FWIW. What is your goal? Some college professors are saying that the kids who are rushing through these math classes are missing out. There was an article in WAPO last week (it may have been a letter to the editor) about this. The professor said that basic math skills are being ignored in the schools in favor of pushing kids toward calculus early. He said basic skills are not coming to school with some of these kids.

I cannot speak to this issue, but it makes sense to me. I was a teacher and always felt that foundations were extremely important. These days education seems like a race--I prefer to think of it as a building. You need a good base. With the race, some kids don't make it to the end--they peter out early. Others may finish and collapse at the finish line. Some just give up. A building requires a good strong base--if you don't have that, the building may topple over. However, you can have good low lying buildings and good high rises if they are built properly.

Pushing ahead is not always a good thing--even for "advanced" kids.

+1