What should Public schools do for your child if she reads 3 grades above ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^ DC certainly doesn't believe that to be true, because they don't offer much by way of advanced instruction for advanced students.

If needs aren't being met then the law is a fraud and you might as well strike the word "appropriate" from it.

FAPE only covers students that have IEPs. It does not cover all students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Thank you all for the different helpful advice. My daughter is 8 , she is a very quick learner and I belive she is truly gifted and very matured fir her age. Math is not a concern to me as I belive she is learning advanced stuff in her AAP program . I see that has been a great fit for her. For some other personal issues, the school does not want to acknowledge her writing and reading level. It is a long story. So that is what bothers me. They have intentionally not even placed her at the highest level reading group in her class. So I need to do it for her by my own. Yes I am now having her work on her typing skill this winter break as I thought that would also help her with her writing as she loves to write. But as a parent when you know that a school is working against your child reaching her potential, you can imagine how you fear that your child does not stay behind. So far she is okay , I don't even know how she keeps progressing against all odds.

You need to gain some perspective and better understand what schools are required to provide. They are to provide a free and appropriate education, not to get each child to reach her potential. This is true whether your DC is above or below grade level. You should be able to determine exactly where your DD is based on her school work and standardized testing. If you want your DD challenged more than what she is at school, you'll need to do more at home.

^ This is utter bullshit.

How can it be considered an "appropriate" education when it's clearly not appropriate to the student's academic level and clearly is not meeting the student's needs?

Welcome to education law - which you clearly know nothing about. OP (and you) can have all the opinions you like. However, without data to support those opinions, you will not further your argument. Using inflammatory language like 'working against...her potential' reinforces the perception that OP is unreasonable and makes it easy to dismiss her claims. All we have is that the OP 'believes' her DD is gifted. Based on what? Her DD's placement in AAP? If her DD is 'truly gifted' as OP believes, she should have education testing done to support her DD's need for differentiated instruction. It's what special ed kids have to do - and advanced instruction IS a form of special education protected under the law. If OP believes her DD's current placement is harming her, it is imperative she be tested.

Is the bolded actually true? That advanced instruction is a form of special education protected by law? I have not found this to be true. We have had my son tested by an educational psychologist (WISC-IV and WIAT III) and brought his across the board 99.9% scores to his VA school and they are dragging their feet on doing anything. Would you be able to point me to the law whereby advanced instruction is protected? Thank you!

Some states have included advanced education into their special education law, but it is not part of IDEA (federal law). However, if a child has an IEP for a different reason, then they cannot be denied advanced education if they qualify. Free and Appropriate Education (FAPE) is in IDEA and only covers those students with an IEP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Thank you all for the different helpful advice. My daughter is 8 , she is a very quick learner and I belive she is truly gifted and very matured fir her age. Math is not a concern to me as I belive she is learning advanced stuff in her AAP program . I see that has been a great fit for her. For some other personal issues, the school does not want to acknowledge her writing and reading level. It is a long story. So that is what bothers me. They have intentionally not even placed her at the highest level reading group in her class. So I need to do it for her by my own. Yes I am now having her work on her typing skill this winter break as I thought that would also help her with her writing as she loves to write. But as a parent when you know that a school is working against your child reaching her potential, you can imagine how you fear that your child does not stay behind. So far she is okay , I don't even know how she keeps progressing against all odds.

You need to gain some perspective and better understand what schools are required to provide. They are to provide a free and appropriate education, not to get each child to reach her potential. This is true whether your DC is above or below grade level. You should be able to determine exactly where your DD is based on her school work and standardized testing. If you want your DD challenged more than what she is at school, you'll need to do more at home.

^ This is utter bullshit.

How can it be considered an "appropriate" education when it's clearly not appropriate to the student's academic level and clearly is not meeting the student's needs?

Welcome to education law - which you clearly know nothing about. OP (and you) can have all the opinions you like. However, without data to support those opinions, you will not further your argument. Using inflammatory language like 'working against...her potential' reinforces the perception that OP is unreasonable and makes it easy to dismiss her claims. All we have is that the OP 'believes' her DD is gifted. Based on what? Her DD's placement in AAP? If her DD is 'truly gifted' as OP believes, she should have education testing done to support her DD's need for differentiated instruction. It's what special ed kids have to do - and advanced instruction IS a form of special education protected under the law. If OP believes her DD's current placement is harming her, it is imperative she be tested.

Is the bolded actually true? That advanced instruction is a form of special education protected by law? I have not found this to be true. We have had my son tested by an educational psychologist (WISC-IV and WIAT III) and brought his across the board 99.9% scores to his VA school and they are dragging their feet on doing anything. Would you be able to point me to the law whereby advanced instruction is protected? Thank you!

Some states have included advanced education into their special education law, but it is not part of IDEA (federal law). However, if a child has an IEP for a different reason, then they cannot be denied advanced education if they qualify. Free and Appropriate Education (FAPE) is in IDEA and only covers those students with an IEP.

Ah, thank you for this. There is no way he'll qualify for an IEP for anything so I will continue trying to work with administration and hope for a better next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ DC certainly doesn't believe that to be true, because they don't offer much by way of advanced instruction for advanced students.

If needs aren't being met then the law is a fraud and you might as well strike the word "appropriate" from it.

FAPE only covers students that have IEPs. It does not cover all students.

Sad to think that schools only feel they have to give students an education that's appropriate to their level of development when they are forced to via an IEP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ DC certainly doesn't believe that to be true, because they don't offer much by way of advanced instruction for advanced students.

If needs aren't being met then the law is a fraud and you might as well strike the word "appropriate" from it.

FAPE only covers students that have IEPs. It does not cover all students.

Sad to think that schools only feel they have to give students an education that's appropriate to their level of development when they are forced to via an IEP.

The education bill is set to be renewed. Lobby your Congress critters to change the law to include all students in FAPE.

[Anonymous]

Just to get back to the OP

The answer is reasonably simple -- the school should assist the child to ensure that he/she is reading material at an appropriate level for her reading abilities, maturity and age. In grade school lots of kids read above their grade level and it is no big deal. The point is not really "grade level" as much as reading at the appropriate level for that kid at that time. Parents can certainly by helpful here too. It is very possible in lots of suburban areas in particular to have a whole classroom full of kids who are reading above "grade level". That does not mean though that we should hand a 6th grade class copies of Catch 22 and say read and we will discuss next week.

If school is easy for a kid in grade school right now -- and it often is for many smart kids -- I suggest challenging them in other productive ways. We decided on music. One of the best things we did with our own kids who were strong readers was to get them involved in music. None of them were music prodigies so each were very challenged in learning to read music and play an instrument with some level of competency. I would also consider learning another language. Ideally one that they could easily use around the house or neighborhood for practice.

Between school, homework, and other activities it can make for a busy week but there is still time for reading for enjoyment in the evening after dinner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ DC certainly doesn't believe that to be true, because they don't offer much by way of advanced instruction for advanced students.

If needs aren't being met then the law is a fraud and you might as well strike the word "appropriate" from it.

FAPE only covers students that have IEPs. It does not cover all students.

Sad to think that schools only feel they have to give students an education that's appropriate to their level of development when they are forced to via an IEP.

The education bill is set to be renewed. Lobby your Congress critters to change the law to include all students in FAPE.

This really isn't needed. All children in the US are entitled to a free education. States are allowed to determine the minimum standard of education. FAPE arose because children with disabilities were denied equal access to education because of those disabilities. There is no need for FAPE to be extended to all students. What class of students aren't getting a free education?

[Anonymous]

This really isn't needed. All children in the US are entitled to a free education. States are allowed to determine the minimum standard of education. FAPE arose because children with disabilities were denied equal access to education because of those disabilities. There is no need for FAPE to be extended to all students. What class of students aren't getting a free education?

Be grateful your child is bright. A bright child learns easily and does not need an IEP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ DC certainly doesn't believe that to be true, because they don't offer much by way of advanced instruction for advanced students.

If needs aren't being met then the law is a fraud and you might as well strike the word "appropriate" from it.

FAPE only covers students that have IEPs. It does not cover all students.

Sad to think that schools only feel they have to give students an education that's appropriate to their level of development when they are forced to via an IEP.

The education bill is set to be renewed. Lobby your Congress critters to change the law to include all students in FAPE.

This really isn't needed. All children in the US are entitled to a free education. States are allowed to determine the minimum standard of education. FAPE arose because children with disabilities were denied equal access to education because of those disabilities. There is no need for FAPE to be extended to all students. What class of students aren't getting a free education?

You've missed the point. FAPE is [F]ree and [A]ppropriate [P]ublic [E]ducation. "Free" education isn't the issue. APPROPRIATE education is the issue. If schools aren't meeting needs appropriate to a student's developmental level (and many don't) then it's not an appropriate education.

[Anonymous]

You've missed the point. FAPE is [F]ree and [A]ppropriate [P]ublic [E]ducation. "Free" education isn't the issue. APPROPRIATE education is the issue. If schools aren't meeting needs appropriate to a student's developmental level (and many don't) then it's not an appropriate education.

I've not missed the point. I've not seen any evidence presented that indicates there are kids who are not getting an appropriate education. The standard is not based on 'developmental level' but on what the state has determined appropriate. There are certainly minimum standards but not maximum standards. States are not required to maximize each child's potential, just to the standard. If you want to do something, argue about what the standard should be. I'd love for schools to help each child realize their potential but given the scarcity of resources, it's unlikely that will ever happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

This really isn't needed. All children in the US are entitled to a free education. States are allowed to determine the minimum standard of education. FAPE arose because children with disabilities were denied equal access to education because of those disabilities. There is no need for FAPE to be extended to all students. What class of students aren't getting a free education?

Be grateful your child is bright. A bright child learns easily and does not need an IEP.

Two of my three kids have IEPs. One of them is a 4th grade with the language skills of a 1st grader. He's bright but does not learn easily. We've spent nearly $10K on special ed advocates to get appropriate goals and services for him. I probably know far more about what schools are required to provide than most on this thread.

[Anonymous]

This really isn't needed. All children in the US are entitled to a free education. States are allowed to determine the minimum standard of education. FAPE arose because children with disabilities were denied equal access to education because of those disabilities. There is no need for FAPE to be extended to all students. What class of students aren't getting a free education?

Be grateful your child is bright. A bright child learns easily and does not need an IEP.

Two of my three kids have IEPs. One of them is a 4th grade with the language skills of a 1st grader. He's bright but does not learn easily. We've spent nearly $10K on special ed advocates to get appropriate goals and services for him. I probably know far more about what schools are required to provide than most on this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

You've missed the point. FAPE is [F]ree and [A]ppropriate [P]ublic [E]ducation. "Free" education isn't the issue. APPROPRIATE education is the issue. If schools aren't meeting needs appropriate to a student's developmental level (and many don't) then it's not an appropriate education.

I've not missed the point. I've not seen any evidence presented that indicates there are kids who are not getting an appropriate education. The standard is not based on 'developmental level' but on what the state has determined appropriate. There are certainly minimum standards but not maximum standards. States are not required to maximize each child's potential, just to the standard. If you want to do something, argue about what the standard should be. I'd love for schools to help each child realize their potential but given the scarcity of resources, it's unlikely that will ever happen.

Again, just meeting some bare minimum and cranking kids through a one-size-fits-all education is *NOT* appropriate education. Anyone who thinks it is has no business being in education or policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

This really isn't needed. All children in the US are entitled to a free education. States are allowed to determine the minimum standard of education. FAPE arose because children with disabilities were denied equal access to education because of those disabilities. There is no need for FAPE to be extended to all students. What class of students aren't getting a free education?

Be grateful your child is bright. A bright child learns easily and does not need an IEP.

Being bright does not disqualify a child from an IEP. Being free from disability does.

[Anonymous]

Being bright does not disqualify a child from an IEP. Being free from disability does.

I agree--but someone on this thread posted earlier that GT kids should be treated like the kids on the lower end of the scale. That's just wrong.