Acceleration: A Parent’s Perspective Trina DiFrancesco Oxford Area School District Parent Coatesville Area School District Teacher

The phone call that changed my daughter’s life …

Research, Research, Research Googled everything I could find Reached out to both CCIU and DCIU Spoke to gifted support teacher in my school ed creators of gifted websites, including hoagiesgifted.org Had IOWA Acceleration Scale Manual rush shipped to our home, then read it and scored it in one sitting Sent after to homeroom and gifted support teacher with questions Spoke to family and friends Lasted several weeks

The Findings o Everyone has a distinct, strong opinion. o Listen to those who are familiar with gifted students. o Research strongly supports whole grade acceleration for some students. o A perfect placement does not exist. Make a pro/con list to determine the “Best Worst Case Scenario”. o This can be a very lonely place to be. o Whole grade acceleration is an appropriate placement option for my child.

The Decision  Sent a lengthy to school team listing all my concerns and ways we plan to cope (“Best Worst Case Scenario”)  Middle school  The gym locker room  Drugs, alcohol, sex  Driving  Early college entrance

Special Requests for Success My daughter had to want to be accelerated. The option to going back to her classroom if things didn’t go as anticipated Her desk and “space” left in the classroom she was leaving, in case she needed to return Opportunities to visit her old teacher and friends *CAREFUL CONSIDERATION* of incoming teacher who was accepting of the situation Continued careful consideration of teachers in the future Administrative support Peer Buddy in her new class Copy of new schedule and supplies needed (We took a special shopping trip for new supplies.)

Working Together at the GIEP Meeting  Involved:  Principal from current building  Guidance Counselors from current building, as well as next year’s building  Psychologist  Gifted Support Teacher  First and Second Grade Teachers  Both Parents

A New Beginning at the GIEP Meeting 1)GWR 2)GIEP 3)Gifted Support Teacher’s transition plans 4)Outgoing teacher’s suggestions: a.Journal between the two of them b.Water her plant before and after school and say hi to friends c.Invited her to first grade field trip to the zoo in May 5)Incoming teacher introduction 6)Tears, not an easy decision at all. One of the scariest decisions of my life.

Pebbles in the Road Minor gaps in learning Asynchronous development Sibling rivalry Lack of understanding with new administration

Today Just like the research said… …still in the top group …more friends …loves school …gifted support teacher continues to advocate for her I wince at the thought that she would have been sitting in a classroom based solely on her birthdate if we didn’t make this decision! “Tell them it is a good thing because you get to learn new things and you don’t have to spend the whole year reviewing.” …quote by Siena DiFrancesco