hhill1
Registered: 09/29/03
Posts: 1
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Reply with quote | #1 |
Our 14-year-old is currently enrolled in two high-school AP science courses; he spends the rest of his school week at a private middle school and also has a math tutor. (There aren't any regular high-school math classes that are suitable for his interest level.)
The county special-ed counselor has encouraged us to remove him from one or both of the AP classes, basically because he's missing much of the material: currently he's making a C in both. My wife and I are hesitant to do this because he seems to be making real progress, especially in behavior. (He no longer suddenly gets out of his seat in to examine the wall-mounted periodic table, for example.) He adjusts to new surroundings slowly, and so we also worry about a mid-year transition. He's also a lousy test taker, feeling that he shouldn't have to "fill in all the obvious stuff" on essay questions.
We are NOT concerned with his g.p.a.; these courses are just on a short list of subjects that seem to hold his interest. The counselor worries that we're using up all the science classes, and won't have any good options for him next year. We're (perhaps foolishly) taking life one year at a time, hoping that his interests will continue to expand.
Are we being short sighted? Any advice? Thanks in advance. |
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mwarshaw
Registered: 08/13/03
Posts: 6
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Reply with quote | #2 |
Quote: The county special-ed counselor has encouraged us to remove him from one or both of the AP classes, basically because he's missing much of the material: currently he's making a C in both. My wife and I are hesitant to do this because he seems to be making real progress, especially in behavior. ... He's also a lousy test taker, feeling that he shouldn't have to "fill in all the obvious stuff" on essay questions.
I suggest talking to the teachers to ask why he's making a C. Is it because he doesn't understand the material, is not getting in homework, doesn't know how to take tests? The answers to these questions would be very helpful for deciding whether to leave him in or have him drop courses.
Quote: The counselor worries that we're using up all the science classes, and won't have any good options for him next year
Ah, the dreaded "what will he do next year?" that we so often run into with our kids! I once had a school suggest that my son shouldn't be allowed to do 5th grade math in 4th grade (he already knew 1/2 of the 5th grade material and all of the 4th grade) because "what will he do next year?"! The answer is - we'll worry about that next year! There are *always* other options - community college courses, correspondance courses, taking something other than science - but to not meet your son's current needs because it might mean that the school doesn't have what he needs next year seems silly (to put it nicely).
Quote: We're (perhaps foolishly) taking life one year at a time, hoping that his interests will continue to expand.
People always ask us what we're doing next year. My answer is that I've learned to take one year at a time, because planning too far ahead always turns out to be wasted effort - things change so much that there's no way to tell what my son will need that far in advance!
Meredith
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Meredith Warshaw, M.S.S., M.A.
Special Needs Educational Advisor
mailto:mwarshaw@uniquelygifted.org
http://uniquelygifted.org |
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marleo
Registered: 06/29/06
Posts: 4
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Reply with quote | #3 |
Greetings I do not have a son nearly so far along in school as you do (6th grade) but in our public school district they have independent study courses in math, english and other courses that the children may take in high school. The children have to get approval for what project that they are pursuing that semester or year from the faculty. The school then comes up with creative ways to measure accomplishment. One child studied a certain historical religious event or philosphy and was given an oral exam by religious scholars and ministers of different denonimations. Another child wrote a novel, first organizing the premise and then completing the novel. The process took her two years but apparently she wrote an excellent novel. My son has trouble in certain settings. You could put the information in writing in front of him and he could complete the task. He doesnt do as well with auditory instruction-- or lively group dynamics. I have hope for him in an independent study-- if we can assist him in organizing and pacing himself. You might suggest that option as well. Good luck Margie
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margie |
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