Wwyd

[KennesawNemo]

This happened to a friend's son and she was asking what to do, so I would like to get the dis opinion.

The kid's school did a test in the beginning of the school year for "gifted class" eligibility. He scored 129. Cutoff for gifted class was 130.

My friend was informed by the school that the kid would be in gifted class on trial base. He will attend the class and get re-tested at the end of the semester to determine eligibility for next semester and beyond.

So the kid has been in the class for two months. He was actually doing well. Then last week, in the middle of the class, he was told he was not supposed to be in the class by his teacher. It was a "paper work mistake". The kid had to pack his bag and leave the class in front of his classmates.

The kid got really upset when he got home. So was my friend. She plans to find out more Monday and wrote some sort of complaint letter to school depending on what she finds out.

So if it was you, WWYD?

ETA: The kid is in 2nd grade, so a little young to handle that all by himself, I think.

Before anyone goes there, no, I assure you it's not my kid.

 

[low-key]

I get her being upset a bit. But it that age confidence is more important and being the smart kid in the normal class might be better in the long run

 

[lovin'fl]

This happened to a friend's son and she was asking what to do, so I would like to get the dis opinion.

The kid's school did a test in the beginning of the school year for "gifted class" eligibility. He scored 129. Cutoff for gifted class was 130.

My friend was informed by the school that the kid would be in gifted class on trial base. He will attend the class and get re-tested at the end of the semester to determine eligibility for next semester and beyond.

So the kid has been in the class for two months. He was actually doing well. Then last week, in the middle of the class, he was told he was not supposed to be in the class by his teacher. It was a "paper work mistake". The kid had to pack his bag and leave the class in front of his classmates.

The kid got really upset when he got home. So was my friend. She plans to find out more Monday and wrote some sort of complaint letter to school depending on what she finds out.

So if it was you, WWYD?

ETA: The kid is in 2nd grade, so a little young to handle that all by himself, I think.

Before anyone goes there, no, I assure you it's not my kid.

Strange situation. I'd be upset with how it was handled too. My DS, in 4th grade, was in AIG class (in NC). I couldn't imagine them doing such a thing. I wonder if they have another student they need to put in the class and bumped your friend's son to do this. I'd call the school Monday and make it clear that I was not happy with the way it was handled. They could have called mom in for a conference to explain and then set a date for him to start in another class.

 

[KennesawNemo]

I get her being upset a bit. But it that age confidence is more important and being the smart kid in the normal class might be better in the long run

My friend said she wouldn't be upset if the kid was never in the class. She wouldn't be upset if the school communicate the change to her after class. But, instead, the kid has to pack and leave on the spot in front of all his friend. I think this is a valid concern. I would be upset too.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Your friend needs to talk to whomever (principal, counselor, program coordinator?) at the school informed her that her son would be placed in the class. Sounds like the teacher and the person who placed him are not on the same page. The teacher may have been looking solely at his test score and may not be aware that someone decided he should be placed on a trial basis. It may simply be a matter of someone explaining the decision and the plan to retest him to the teacher. It still doesn't sound like she handled it very well in terms of sending him out in front of the class.

 

[Hrhpd]

This happened to a friend's son and she was asking what to do, so I would like to get the dis opinion.

The kid's school did a test in the beginning of the school year for "gifted class" eligibility. He scored 129. Cutoff for gifted class was 130.

My friend was informed by the school that the kid would be in gifted class on trial base. He will attend the class and get re-tested at the end of the semester to determine eligibility for next semester and beyond.

So the kid has been in the class for two months. He was actually doing well. Then last week, in the middle of the class, he was told he was not supposed to be in the class by his teacher. It was a "paper work mistake". The kid had to pack his bag and leave the class in front of his classmates.

The kid got really upset when he got home. So was my friend. She plans to find out more Monday and wrote some sort of complaint letter to school depending on what she finds out.

So if it was you, WWYD?

ETA: The kid is in 2nd grade, so a little young to handle that all by himself, I think.

Before anyone goes there, no, I assure you it's not my kid.

Per a school psychologist:

The group "gifted" tests are highly inaccurate with a huge margin of error. They are not true IQ tests. They are just initial screening tests.

If the child was doing well in the class and scored so close to the cutoff, the best thing to do would be go to a licensed child psychologist and have real, legitimate intelligence tests done.

Then present that test to the school to prove the child belongs in the gifted class.

The psychologist I know had a booming business re-testing kids that 'failed' the group test. Numerous districts referred kids on the borderline to her to get actual testing.

 

[Erin1700]

I would first question them about testing twice. Here you can only do it once per year.

 

[letsgoreds]

That is beyond bizarre. My second grader is in the gifted program (since first grade)...and there is no way in hell that would have happened in our district. She should immediately contact the gifted teacher and ask for an explanation. She should just put it all out there, and explain that he was quite upset.

I am guessing there was a huge misunderstanding, and once she gets in contact with the teacher, a solution will present itself.

I don't like what they initially offered...kids aren't gifted one month, and ungifted the next. The retesting and potentially taking it a way is crappy. In our district (OH), once you are in, you are in through 5th grade, then honors classes kick in.

Both she and her child deserve an apology and an explanation.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I'm torn on this one. The kids a should absolutely not have been pulled in that manner, but I think I'd be glad he was now away from a teacher who would treat him like that!

 

[dakcp2001]

I think I would be having a chat with that teacher. Humiliating a child in front of his classmates is not appropriate. I would be very upset. I think a call tot he principle is definitely in order. The situation was handles beyond poorly. If he missed the cutoff he should not have been in the class. If they decided to let him in, let him in. But don't string him along then publicly yank him out in the middle of class. Wait until after class.

I think I would be thankful he no longer has to be with this teacher who clearly shows such poor judgement. WHo would do that to a second grader? Mean!

 

[SLP958]

I would be very upset at a teacher embarrassing a child in such a way. I would be having a nice chat with that teacher and the principal.

I would not be upset at all about not returning to the gifted class. Those classes are not all they are said to be. I was in gifted from 1-5
Grade when I finally begged my parents to let me drop out.

If it even comes to pass that my children are asked to be
Tested for gifted classes I will decline.

 

[Poohforyou]

I'm surprised they allowed him in class since he missed the cutoff. How was your friend told he'd be in the class on a trial basis? If in writing she needs to dig that out. If it was verbal she might have a tougher time. I don't think it was right to make him leave in the middle of class. I would address their careless handling of a young child's feelings.

 

[bdcp]

I would be very upset at a teacher embarrassing a child in such a way. I would be having a nice chat with that teacher and the principal.

I would not be upset at all about not returning to the gifted class. Those classes are not all they are said to be. I was in gifted from 1-5
Grade when I finally begged my parents to let me drop out.

If it even comes to pass that my children are asked to be
Tested for gifted classes I will decline.

That was handled so poorly, but to me it sounds like the teacher was wrong because the school had said it was a "trial" and knew the test score was borderline.

In terms of not testing a child, it depends on the kid. I had one "gifted" and one average student (sons). Oldest needed what the G&T programs had. He needed to be working ahead of his grade. And he needed to be with kids like him. His friends were all in the program because they all had a lot in common. By the time he got to middle school, he was put ahead in math by two grades and never looked back. Both boys are successful, but in different ways and school for my oldest was much easier.

I would never prevent my kids from taking the tests. It's very advantageous and can lead to what advanced kids needs so they're not bored in regular classes later on.