Reply to FYI on MCPS middle school magnet appeal with child with IEP

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Have you looked into MCPS GT/LD program?

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/enriched/gtld/

This is for kids who may have a learning difference but who are above average academically. I am not sure of the exact requirements, but I know MCPS has this. [/quote]

FWIW, one can only gain access to the GT/LD program in MS if one is placed there by one's home school IEP team.  By providing such a placement, the IEP team is admitting that the GT/LD student cannot be provided free and appropriate public education at their home middle school and must have an alternative placement.  It is not something a parent can simply opt into or sign their child up for.  Kids are not considered by competitive application.

The GT/LD program does not at all have the same GT curriculum as the Eastern, Takoma and Clemente middle schools.  What constitutes "GT" in the GT/LD program is being placed in "advanced" classes open to all MS students.  For math, this means you could only get a placement which leads to Algebra in 7th grade.  By comparison, at the MS magnets some kids are doing Algebra in 6th grade, although admittedly this is a much smaller number than prior to Curriculum 2.0.  Also the curriculum in the MS magnet math is deeper than regular MCPS math.  In English and World Studies, it means being able to take "Advanced" English or World Studies, which is in no way comparable to the reading level and writing instruction in the Humanities magnet.  Also, at most middle schools nowadays, almost all kids take 'advanced," so practically speaking what is taught is not that advanced.

My understanding is that the GT/LD students participate in "team taught" classes or some model where there are two adults in the room (one could be a para-educator) so that the GT/LD kids can get their supports and specialized instruction.  This means that they have at least some GT/LD peers in their classes, but don't think the entire class is GT/LD.  (Please correct me if I am wrong.)

I know a number of parents of students in the GT/LD program who are very happy there.   But, I think it's important for parents considering placement vs. application to magnet, to understand the differences.  [/quote]

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