.............................

[Wishing on a star]

Sorry, I stand by my post.
I would NOT push my 8 year old. (my son is about this age)
When a kid is old enough to make the decision to sign themselves up for advanced classes and to challenge and to push themselves, then let the child make that call.
My answer is still NOOOO!!!!!!!!

Mickeyboat: you are free to state your views... but is it really necessary to quote mine and question/attack them. Not cool.... this is not a debate thread.

 

[Independent]

Sorry, I stand by my post.
I would NOT push my 8 year old. (my son is about this age)
When a kid is old enough to make the decision to take advanced classes and to challenge and to push themselves, then let the child make that call.
My answer is still NOOOO!!!!!!!!

Mickeyboat: you are free to state your views... but is it really necessary to quote mine and question/attack them. Not cool.... this is not a debate thread.

However, in counterpoint, studies have shown that it can be just as harmful to a child to not be challenged in school.

It has been proven that boredom can lead to significant behavioral issues.

 

[mommasita]

However, in counterpoint, studies have shown that it can be just as harmful to a child to not be challenged in school.

It has been proven that boredom can lead to significant behavioral issues.

Yes indeed. Not just behavioral issues, but also lack of interest in learning. My DD is going through this right now. The school can not believe it. She is a lover of school, learning, etc. Now that she is so bored at school, and UNCHALLENGED, her mind is bored, so she is bored. She cries some mornings to go to school, and this makes me very sad, as she was one to get up bouncing to go, and loved school. Everyone needs challenges.

However, I do agree. I would NEVER force a child that young. We are forced into so much in life, and such a tender age is no good. I don't think we are forcing, however going with the flow.

Good luck

 

[C.Ann]

I'm torn - which is why I could offer no opinion when I was asked for one.. A trial period would be good - but then again, this late in the year, why not wait till next year when she's a little more settled into the new school and new neighborhood and will be entering classes with all new children anyhow?

 

[Tigger&Belle]

So this is not a magnet school, but a program at her regular school, right? That influences my answer.

In general I don't believe in pushing a child too much--not when they are resisting. However, if it is a program at her home school, I think that she should be encouraged to give it a try.

I can't believe the switching of teachers that already occurs in my 7yo's 1st grade classroom. It's so different from when his siblings were that age. They have a reading teacher that might be their homeroom teacher (and they do try to keep that teacher the same) and halfway through the year they started switching for math. Jake has his homeroom teacher for reading, but goes to someone else for math. I don't think that he would have an issue being with kids he doesn't know, but my 13yo would have at your GD's age. Even now he didn't want to try to get into a magnet high school for next year--wanted to go to his home high school and I respected his reasons. Some kids just don't want that pressure and/or they want to be with the kids they know. That is something to consider.

 

[Nancyg56]

---------------------------------

I'm torn - which is why I could offer no opinion when I was asked for one.. A trial period would be good - but then again, this late in the year, why not wait till next year when she's a little more settled into the new school and new neighborhood and will be entering classes with all new children anyhow?

This is my opinion. I cannot see why waiting until September would be all that detrimental to her development.

 

[C.Ann]

DGD has undergone further testing since my original post here and the results are nothing short of astonishing! We knew she was advanced, but these latest tests were unreal and as a result, she has been invited to participate in the Young Scholars program - if she (and her parents) so choose.. This test was only administered to certain students based on their current abilities..

This most recent test was called the School and College Ability Test. It is a test of verbal and quantitative reasoning skills.. She is currently in the 3rd grade and in order to be eligible for the Young Scholars program she had to have scores at or above 70% in the verbal reasoning and 50% in quantitative reasoning in comparison to students across the country four grades above her (which in her case would mean students in the 7th grade)..

Her verbal reasoning score was better than 89% of the 7th graders and her quantitative score was better than 72% of the 7th graders.. Yikes!!!

DD and her DH are still mulling over exactly what they should do, but at this point they're still leaning towards not making any major changes until the beginning of school next year..

Needless to say, we're very proud of her - but on the other hand, it's almost scary - wondering what the future will hold for her in regards to schooling, advanced programs, etc..

Is there anyone else here whose child took this particular test? And if so, what decisions did you make based on the scores?

 

[MAKmom]

This late in the year I say wait until Sept. I moved DD12 before Christmas she is still miffed about it.

 

[claudia]

I would just sit down with her, discuss what is happening, ask how she feels about it, offer my opinions and reasons why I would be either pro or con and let her make her own decision. She is so young, I would be more apt to "push" a little bit if this involved her high school years and taking these courses would make it easier for her to get into the college of her choice.
Just a note: Our son has always scored in the top 1% of country wide testing, including the one you have mentioned, but we allowed him to choose what he wanted to do. Now that he is in HS he always makes choices to take Honors and AP courses on his own and still remains in the same percentage. We just OK the course selection when the guidance office sends it home for review before the following September.

 

[Wishing on a star]

WOW!!!

You were right in choosing the word 'astonishing'!!!
You must be one proud grandma!!

I still think that this late in the year, it might be best to begin any new endeavors until after this year is up.

And, remember, a child has to be emotionally and psychologically and developmentally ready to succeed in any advanced program. Not just 'academically'.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Well good for your GD!!! Let's put it this way, with scores like that, then waiting is a-ok.

Nothing will change and starting fresh is always better.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

My sons both took this type of test... and scored like your DGD - way off the charts. We advanced them, no questions asked.

If she were my daughter, I would do it NOW.

I have a soon to be 17 year old with a very high ACT and a very good chance at a full ride at the college of his choice - also well adjusted... he has a steady girlfriend and is an all conference athlete. He was always advanced and fit in much better in classrooms with older kids rather than his agemates.

My 15 year old was nearly identical - we advanced him from the start and he was much happier when he moved up.

Part of it depends on the child, but I would say it is definitely worth giving a very serious look.

Good luck and also CONGRATS to you and your granddaughter!

 

[C.Ann]

Thanks for the congrats.. Let's just hope she stays this way throughout all of her schooling years..

Now....how to put all of this to good use.. Perhaps we could "farm her out" as a tutor?