Reply to GT/LD middle school, or normal school with accommodations?

Forum Index » Kids With Special Needs and Disabilities

Reply to "GT/LD middle school, or normal school with accommodations?"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous]I agree with PP's suggestions about the GTLD Network.  We found that very helpful when considering options for our child.  We have one GT child and one GT/LD child.

IME, our home school team (at an ES in the Westland cluster) was not at all qualified to recognize or program instructionally for a GT/LD kid.  The IEP team would not have made a placement at Barnsley (GT/LD ES) or N. Bethesda (GT/LD MS) without significant push from us, the parents, nor without the assistance of Marisa Stemple, the MCPS GT/LD Instructional Specialist.  Marisa can facilitate visits to the MS for parents to see the GT/LD instructional program.  You, as a parent, can also invite her to observe your child at school, review your neuorpsych/assessment data, and participate in the IEP meetings that lead to placement at the GT/LD schools.

IMO, you should look at Westland very carefully.  A couple of years ago a special education complaint was filed against them and they had to completely re-vamp some of their systems to ensure that they were providing promised instruction and accommodations.  The principal held a parent meeting to discuss the complaint and changes.  She seemed apologetic and committed to change, but I don't have a sense of what happened because we decided not to place our child there.

Another thing to consider is whether Westland is at all situated to handle the GT part of GT/LD.  IMO, they are not.  There is some accelerated math, but I don't think it's more than 1 year above grade level.  They do not offer any GT English or World Studies.  Both of these "Advanced" classes are classes that ALL students take and were the result of broad middle school curriculum reform 8 or so years ago.  While the general high SES of Westland might mean that these "advanced for all" classes are taught at higher level than elsewhere in the county, they in no way meet the needs of GT learners.

I have watched a wide swath of my older child's GT peer group.  Some went to MS magnets, some stayed at Westland.  Without exception, the Westland kids were not challenged.  The result is that some of them learn to hide their smarts.  Others simply mentally disengage.  Others think of themselves as "weird" for having academic interests.  Still others shift their focus to perfection and elaborate attention to minor unimportant details of work.  It's been sort of depressing to watch.

Sorry, I can't comment on N. Bethesda, except to say that I know one family that has placed a child there and seems happy, but it is only their first year.

Given your description of your child, I would *highly* urge you to consider applying to the TPMS math and science magnet.  Mention in the application about the science research and author's award.  Also disclose about the IEP.

TPMS special ed is well-regarded.  Every year the magnet accepts kids with IEP or 504 plans and is obligated to support them.  You might find that the depth of instruction is more engaging for your child.  Just because your child is GT/LD, does NOT mean that he/she is limited to a GT/LD program.  GT students have the same rights of access and support at regular GT programs.  In the TPMS magnet, magnet students take "regular" (i.e. "Advanced for all") English and World Studies, so that might work with a student who has reading/writing challenges and needs support.

If you think your child's reading/writing strengths are a better fit for the Eastern MS Humanities magnet, then I would encourage you to apply there as well, although the administration is far less accommodating to special needs GT students.  (IMO, that place is a sped lawsuit waiting to happen....) [/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics