Pissed at public schools!

[xmas74]

Last summer, I sent my daughter to summer school as a way to prepare her for kindergarten. Her summer school teacher diagnosed her w/ ADHD and advised medication immediately. I began taking my child to a child psychologist. He stated, after numerous consultations, that she did not have ADHD. He stated that she was highly intelligent and that she was easily bored in her classroom. He also stated that the best way for the school to combat this situation was to give her activities that would challenge her or she would eventually become disruptive in the classroom. He sent, w/ my permission, a letter to her school w/ his recommendations.
Today I received a letter from her school. They have decided that she will best benefit from special education classes and have referred to her as "slow learner". They are also, once again, recommending medication for ADHD. They plan to start her in the classes tomorrow.
I went to her school and requested copies of all tests that they had given her so that I could understand how they came to this conclusion. They refused to hand any information over. I am angry and hurt that they would refuse to take the advice of a child psychologist for her educational needs and instead punish her for being (in the words of the psychologist) "inquisitive and highly enlightened for her age".
I don't know if I will even send her to school tomorrow. Private school is not an option since I lost my job this week so I am thinking about homeschooling for the time being (which does not answer the question of what to do w/ her if I find another job shortly).
I just needed to rant. It's been a hell of a week on my front and I'm ready to blow up at the next asshole who crosses my path!
(btw-talked to my best friend. She is a special education teacher and she says that there is no way my child should be enrolled in that classwork. She has known my daughter since birth and believes that she should be enrolled in a "gifted" program. She believes that they are punishing my child since my little girl gets bored in her classes quickly and that some schools like to medicate children who are like her.).


FUCK!FUCK!FUCK!FUCK!FUCK!FUCK!FUCK!

[evlbstrd]

1. Any kid that doesn't FIT THE PROFILE gets the ADD tag.

It happened to my son. We got the same treatment, including being turned in to Family Services twice.

[xmas74]

11. Best friend's son got a tag like that too.

Turns out he has anxiety and doesn't like being in confined areas (but is very intelligent).
When he would get up and walk around it was because he felt closed in. They didn't realize that was the problem until he was 11.

[hatredisnotavalue]

2. Keep her out of public school for a year and put her in an

alternative kindergarten. It sounds like she needs a smaller classroom size, etc.

[xmas74]

12. We don't have one around here.

It's a small town. She can either go to kindergarten in the PS or go to a fundie elementary school. Nearest "alternative" school is in Kansas City-an hour drive.

[hatredisnotavalue]

19. Then you need to move to be closer to one

I am a huge advocate of private schools. In fact both of my kids went to alternative preschools. I wanted to keep them there but my husband who went to Catholic schools was adamant about them going to public schools. Funny...the public schools were just great, both kids excelled, but you have to keep your nose in the schools' business. Volunteer to work in the classroom once a week.

[xmas74]

20. I can't afford to right now.

I just lost my job this last week. And I do work in the classroom about twice a month, the office once a week and I am a PTO member on three different committees.
Once I can get some money saved I plan on moving out of Missouri-period. This state has gone down hill ever since Mel Carnahan died-and it's gotten even worse since Blunt became governor.

[Midlodemocrat]

3. Ummm.....it is completely and totally illegal for a 'teacher' to

diagnose a child and 'recommend' medication. I am a psychologist and there is no way I would have diagnosed a child that young in the first place with ADHD, nor would I have diagnosed ANYONE with ADHD without performing the proper testing.

You need to tell that school to STFU. They CANNOT put a child in special ed because they 'think' she belongs there. There are federal laws protecting special needs children. Get online and look some stuff up.

I will be happy to help you with searching out the proper information. PM me.

[xmas74]

7. She was referred for testing this summer.

I took her to the psychologist and he stated that she was too young for the testing and that, in his opinion, she did not need it. He felt that she was very intelligent(he made numerous comments about how aware she was of her environment and about the level of questions that she asked him-she likes to ask questions often that show alot of thought).
I almost got thrown out of the school today over this fiasco. I don't think I will be letting her back in. My best friend says that I need to let them run numerous tests on her just to prove that she does not belong (she also said that "gifted" education is a subsection of special education and that she needs to have an IEP in place to challenge her in the classroom).
Any info you have I would appreciate. Right now, I am planning on attending the next school board meeting to explain why I am withdrawing my child from their school district. I also plan on reporting it to the Department of Education.

[Midlodemocrat]

51. Frankly, I don't think a kindergarten student would test 'gifted' and here

is why.

Most of the testing is done in 2nd grade for the Center Based gifted programs. This ensures that the child can read fluently enough to read the questions and answer them.

That is one of the reasons why I would never test a K student for ADHD. They are too young. Second or Third grade is probably about right.

If the gifted education program is a subset of special education in your district, then she definitely needs either a 504 plan or an IEP. IEPs are usually reserved for children with significant educational needs, mostly MiMD or MoMD programs. It would be unusual for a gifted child to have an IEP, but certainly not unheard of.

The school HAS to show you the test results, by law. I don't know what state you are in, but I believe that is a federal law.

I would go to the superintendent before going to the school board, or even better, if there is a director of elementary education, contact him/her. Then keep kicking it up the ladder.

One caveat, however. Some administrators are notoriously petty. You should be prepared to take your child to a different school if things become acromonious.

Let me know if I can give you any more advice. I am speaking in general terms here, because of course, I don't know your daughter, so I wouldn't presume to diagnose or label her.

[xmas74]

59. I got the test results today.

They are basing this all on her getting frustrated w/ the testing last spring. She was tested on fine motor skills, as were all children. They placed her pencil, scissors, crayons, etc in her right hand and told her to do the task. She tried to do as they told her and became frustrated. Maybe she became so frustrated because she is LEFT handed and she was following the instructions exactly as they said (results said that they repeatedly placed instruments in right hand and that she began to switch hands and they switched it back to the right hand. Eventually, they tried hand over hand w/ her right hand and she did not do well).

Best friend says that they have to do an IEP for exceptional students in our state if the parents demand it. School says that they do not have to but she states that she has to uphold these laws every day and not to let them tell me that. She stated the same thing about ADHD as you did-not until they could read well enough(she's a spec ed instructor in a high school. Her mother teaches elementary spec ed) but she said at a recent conference there were many complaints about elementary and preschool teachers demanding students as young as three be tested for ADD and ADHD.

[alarimer]

75. I thought they stopped forcing kids to be right-handed years ago

I mean, what kind of idiot doesn't let a kid use whatever hand she is most comfortable with to take a test? Maybe they wanted to ensure certain results....

[xmas74]

76. I think they were just rushed for time

and decided that she should be right-handed since 90% of the population is. I guess they didn't have the time to see if she could do something different from the other kids.

[Extend a Hand]

44. it was done regularly

at the public school I pulled my kid out of.
If you are able to later, we found a Montessori that has been
wonderful for my son.

[youthere]

63. VERY good advice...

We went through a similar situation when my oldest daughter was in 2nd grade...I ended up pulling her out of school and have homeschooled her and my younger two ever since. A teacher isn't qualified to make that assessment. Even your average family doctor (GP) isn't qualified to make that diagnosis. In addition to what Midlodemcrat suggests, I would also consult an attorney.
If you are interested in pursuing the homeschooling and would like to talk more about it, PM me.

[displacedtexan]

4. It's the law. Your child's records are YOURS.

Threaten them with a lawyer, and you'll get your daughter's records. Also, call the ACLU and chat.

[xmas74]

13. I informed them of that.

I know my laws and I know that, as her custodial parent, I have every right to see her records.
I'm calling my attorney in the morning and I plan on having a very long chat w/ him.

[KitchenWitch]

5. Prepare to fight them tooth and nail

You are the true expert when it comes to your child...I wish I had fought harder when my son was in elementary school...don't get me wrong, he is bright and a fairly good student, but I believe he spent most of elementary school bored out of his skull, so now that he is in high school and needs to start working, he has accumulated some really bad habits.

[xmas74]

15. I plan to fight them.

They'll hate me before it's over. I'm either your best friend or your worst enemy. Right now, I'm Ms. PTO/room mom/school volunteer type who is on a few committees. They've seen only the nice side of me. Now they will see the bitch and it ain't pretty.

[skygazer]

6. All this in KINDERGARTEN?!

Jesus wept.

I remember when Kindergarten was the place that children went to learn the socialization skills and simple basics about being in school that would help them throughout their school years - not a place where you had classes that you could possibly get bored in. Too much, too soon IMO. I really think we're screwing up our kids by not allowing them to BE kids anymore - all their activities are organized (soccer, music lessons, karate) instead of just playing outside with their friends and we expect them to be little scholars with piles of homework and all this other crap in grade school. No wonder so many of them get diagnosed as ADHD - they've got sensory overload, for Pete's sake.

[xmas74]

9. I believe exactly as you do.

I remember when kindergarten was only a half day (and I only went three times a week at that!). My child was used to going to preschool in the morning and spending the afternoon w/ me (we went on nature walks and identified the leaves, plants, birds, bugs-whatever was in our path. We volunteered our time in nursing homes talking to residents. We read together, played together, did art projects, etc).

What has happened to our school systems?

[yvr girl]

8. I was going to make a smart remark

that you shouldn't be 'pissed/drunk' at school.

I can't believe your story - that's terrible.

It sounds like the classes are too large in your school district and the teacher is trying to ditch any student who requires extra effort. Children with learning problems AND ones who are gifted require extra effort. Put up a fight.

[xmas74]

10. I will fight all the way.

I used to think this was a decent district. Now I'm just pissed.

[TimeChaser]

14. Actually, that's pretty much what happened to me growing up

I was constantly getting bored when I was little. Talk to your special education friend and find a way to get your daughter tested. Public schools (where I'm from atleast) are required by law to provide options for gifted children. Read up on it and learn your rights. That's what my mom did :)

[xmas74]

16. She says that since gifted education is a subsection

of special education, they are required to provide an option for my child. She has a masters in the subject and is continuing her education so I can expect her to know the laws in MO on this topic. She said that she had to fight her school district for her son to have advanced coursework and is preparing me to fight for the same thing.

[cally]

17. Every interaction with a school should be in writing

I would immediately write a detailed letter to the Principal, Superintendant, and district special ed district coordinator. Ask for written records and copies of all evaluations. Tell them, in writing, you want her placed in regular classroom and not special education. Attach copy of private psychologist letter.

Then start googling. I know I found lots of good information on parents' rights in each state. In California, the school is legally required to provide this information to the parent. Years ago, I thought my daughter was dyslexic. Her teacher brought it to my attention but I could not get the school to do anything. Finally, her Principal pulled me aside and told me to write a letter and copy it to the district. I immediately got results. Once you start having a written record, bureaucrats get nervous.

Good luck. I would be so pissed in your shoes.

[xmas74]

18. Thank you.

And I plan on using letters as documentation for all dialogue between the school and myself.

[Scooter24]

45. Remember to always send

then certified mail as well.

[xmas74]

58. I do that w/ all bills that I pay.

I'll start doing it w/ them too.

[In_The_Wind]

21. OMG xmas!

Of course you are upset!

Keep her out of that school!

You will find help in getting her into a better learning environment. That school sounds as if they want to warehouse children instead of helping them to find their highest potential!

FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!

>

[xmas74]

22. Best friend says that it is a big coincidence that

the same week I applied for free/reduced lunch they send me a letter like this.
She said that they get more funding if they have more students in these programs and that she could bet they use the free/reduced lunch list for some of these letters.

[In_The_Wind]

35. Look for a scholarship program for gifted students.

Try asking a local Montessori School if they have any allocations to help you.

[xmas74]

36. Nearest one is over an hour away.

It's in Kansas City. I can't afford to drive her there.

[In_The_Wind]

37. Damn !

[GOPBasher]

23. WTF????

How the hell can they get away with that? I think I would ask the psychologist if he can contact the school directly with his opinion. Then, I would threaten to make a big stink of it. Threaten to write to the paper, call networks, etc. I would go crazy.

I'm sorry this is happening.

By the way, I don't think they can legally withhold those test from you, though I'm certainly no expert there.

[xmas74]

29. They can't withhold them.

And I plan to raise a stink.

[ulysses]

38. no, they can't.

Raise a big stink.

[xmas74]

57. I did this morning.

I got them.

[ulysses]

73. good.

I initially checked this thread because I'm a public school special ed teacher and I tend to zero in on threads that look like they're railing against the schools, but slack shit like this from people who supposedly know better pisses me off too. Good on you.

[xmas74]

74. Thank you.

I have always supported public schools and decided long ago that, even if I had the money, I would prefer to send my child to a public school (at one time I had the funds to possibly send her to a private school but I believe in public schools and believe that they are beneficial for all). I also support teachers. My best friend is a teacher, as are two close friends. At one point in time I wanted to teach special education (I went to work at a state run habilitation center and decided that I would not be able to make a difference in that field).
I don't blast indiscriminately-I go after only those who deserve it. We have some wonderful teachers out there and we have some who shouldn't be teaching. It's societies fault that we have a few not so good teachers-we don't pay them properly and don't treat them very well.

[JohnLocke]

24. Contact the school board

http://warrensburg.k12.mo.us/

By the way, there are four public elementary schools in the district; in some states, it's possible under "school choice" provisions for students to switch schools and attend one they aren't not zoned for.

[xmas74]

30. Each elementary school is by grade.

One is for kindergarten, two are for first through third and the other is for fourth and fifth.
This is the only kindergarten.

[kwassa]

25. I believe your child is too young to be diagnosed in the first place

I teach art in elementary, and we have a unit in our school for the "gifted and talented learning disabled" who are some of my best art students, of course. They usually have great problems reading, but are highly intelligent.

Special ed kids are almost always mainstreamed for art, and I've taught all varieties of disabilities. I am not an expert in special ed at all, , though I've taken a good required course on the subject, but in our system there is no attempt to put someone in it before 2nd grade, when learning problems have already been demonstrated for some time. There are massive legal protections for you, as well, and many of the regulations are federal. Research your rights, you have a lot of them.

Medicating a child before kindergarten is wildly absurd. I am a great fan of all day kindergarten, though, as it really does help the child learn to adapt socially and get a strong foundation in learning. Head Start is a great program, too.

I also teach preschool kids who are autistic, but that is a whole nother bag altogether.

[xmas74]

31. My best friend really believes that this is about funding,

not a disability.

[politicat]

48. Just so you know, gifted kids get the Special ed funding, too.

I was a GT kid, one of the first in the state I was living in at the time. GT came into being the year I was in first grade, but not in my district... until they realized that GT fit under Special Ed.

From that year on, the schools always got extra funding for me and I always had an IEP. And every district was pleased to get my pointy little head.

Fight them on the "slow learner" crap and work with them on the IEP. Further, they cannot withhold any paperwork from you. Request it in writing, and CC the superintendent and your lawyer. That usually gets a school moving.

[xmas74]

49. Best friend says the same thing.

When she was certified to teach spec ed she had to learn both spectrums-LD/BD and exceptional. She says to fight for retesting.

[politicat]

53. Do. It's in your child's best interest.

A bored kid turns into a lazy student - even if she's mastering the material quickly, she's not getting good learning habits, and when confronted with a real challenge, she could have problems that make her give up. She needs to be challenged every step of the way so she knows the process as well as the product are both worth having.

(So speaks a very bored gifted child who had a world of hurt in middle school when confronted with a teacher and method of teaching I found ridiculous.)

[JohnLocke]

26. Eureka!!

The document documenting "procedural safeguards for parents and students" (including "written notuice and consent" and "access to records") in your school district:
http://warrensburg.k12.mo.us/r6/ProcSafe_Jul2005.pdf

[xmas74]

32. Thank you!

Now I have something to print out for the imminent meeting!

[MichiganVote]

27. The school broke the law on several fronts

[xmas74]

33. I know they did.

[Seabiscuit]

46. So why not hire a lawyer and sue the bastids?

While the case is pending you can get a court order preventing the school from placing your child in "special ed" classes and forcing them to allow your child into the regular classes.

If it happened here, I'd represent you pro bono.

[xmas74]

60. I've contacted an attorney.

He helped me get the test results today. I plan on having them reviewed before they can place her in any other classroom other than where she is at right now.

[Seabiscuit]

79. Good for you! You're on the right course.

You should *not* have to place your child in private school. These school officials have no business doing and saying what they have.

[xmas74]

80. Very true.

[BikeWriter]

28. They tried to tag my oldest Son like that...

Turns out other than his 145 IQ he's perfectly normal. A few tutoring classes brought him right around and he aced everything from there on out.

[xmas74]

34. Sounds about right.

[BikeWriter]

39. Don't let them get you down. :-)

[xmas74]

56. thank you.

[ChoralScholar]

40. First of all....

The teacher has no qualifications to diagnose or recommend anything.

I am a public school teacher, which encompasses a lot of things, but diagnosing medical conditions is not one of them.

Secondly, the school must actually test your child (Public Law 94-142) using more than one test (Larry P. vs. Riles, 1979) that is not culturally biased or in a non-native language (Diana vs. State Board of Education, 1970)

There must be a meeting with you, and they cannot place your child in a special education program without your signature (also PL 94-142, Also known as the Education of the Handicapped Act of 1975)

In addition your child must be regarded as having a specific disability, having HAD a disability, or REGARDED as having had a disablility (PL 93-112 of 1973)

And, the school must provide you copies of all these things at a reasonable cost within 45 days. There are no files that are hidden from parents. (Public Law 93-380)

Take them to task. They have to follow the law. And if you pursue it legally, the district WILL resolve it quickly. Under 94-142, state funds risk being suspended while litigating special education cases. If the case goes to the highest court in the state, federal funding to the state department of Education may be suspended. (EHA 1975, IDEA 1997)

Hope this ammunition helps.

[iconoclastic cat]

41. This is about the time when I'd spring for a lawyer.

[xmas74]

62. Had a consultation today.

He made a phone call and suddenly the records were available.

[XemaSab]

42. This is BS

Fight it.

If they don't back down, homeschool or change schools.

Unacceptable.

[xmas74]

65. Might be homeschool before it's over.

I already do some modified homeschool courses that I have been given by others in the area to challenge her outside of the classroom (mostly in science).

[NMMNG]

43. No teacher is qualified to diagnose a child

with a medical, psychological or psychiatric disorder. If she ever again blathers about your daughter having any disorder and needing medications ask her where she got her Psychology or Psychiatry degree. If she doesn't have one and no qualified person in the school has examined your daughter they need to . Just because a child presents a challenge to the teacher (meaning the teacher has to think outside the box to teach the child) does not mean the child needs to be turned into an abject zombie via drugs.

[xmas74]

66. That was my argument.

They cannot diagnose it.

[chknltl]

47. Maybe unrelated but....

...I know that my chiropractor would be saying that there is a pharmaceutical company(ies) behind all this. Sounds like you are getting some GREAT advice here from folks who know what they are talking about, I hope you can heed it. (btw: my ex is from Warrensburg Mo., small world)

[xmas74]

67. That is a small world!

[ernstbass]

50. I fell for that ADD crap when my neice lived with me

and I relented and had her placed on meds in the 3rd grade. Unbeknownst to the teacher, I took her off the meds. I then went to meet with the teacher after she had been off meds for 2 months. The teacher raved about how the meds were helping the child. Imagine her surprise when I told her that the child had been off meds for 2 months!!

[xmas74]

68. I've heard of it happening more and more.

[huskerlaw]

52. Not much to add but

I'll reiterate some important points: DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT. And then document some more. Make sure every conversation that you have with them ends up on paper.

If you don't get everything you need/want at the next meeting, call a lawyer immediately. If you can't afford it, call the ACLU...if they can't help you, ask for a referral.

Time to play Mama Bear (which it sounds like you're more than willing to do)...don't let them fuck with your kid.

God, I can't believe they said you couldn't see her records. :wtf:

[xmas74]

69. Contacted attorney today.

I got her records w/ one phone call.

[huskerlaw]

71. Excellent!

Sad it took that to get records you're obviously entitled too. But hey, now they know you're willing to play hardball.

Good luck!

[bleedingheart]

54. I can empathize but I also want to caution you....

I have a child with Aspergers.

He is very bright.

At 4 he could play chess and beat adults.
He is playing the piano quite well..

But by first grade we knew there was a problem and the school tested him (they however did show us the results so I am not sure why you aren't getting them.)

Second grade was the year we got his therapies started and we tried meds but they don't work for him.

The problem is this...he does not do well in english, spelling or writing. He is good in math and art.

He is now in 4th grade and we have had to work out his IEP each year.

My friends, the psychologists and every specialist we paid for thinks that my son is "gifted" and we do to...BUT he does have problems. His Iowa Basic Scores paint a picture of a child that can barely read at grade level but his math is levels beyond.
He stims in school and he can sometimes zone out completely (note he is not hyper) and he focuses only on what his interests are....so there is a problem.

While I think you know your child best, please make sure that you assess all pieces of information before making any rash decisions in one direction or another. I have known many parents who pulled children out of perfectly good public schools because they didn't like what they were hearing ...then enrolling them in private schools where there are no state mandates on education and where the child looks like they are flourishing but they may not be....
I know of one woman who paid $5000 a year for a private school only to find out years later that they just let her gal slide by because they wanted to keep the income.

I don't know if you can do this, but perhaps you can have a psychologist visit the class to "observe" without your daughter knowing this. This is how I was able to find out what was really going on ...and sadly it was our wake up call to why he wasn't "getting it"....yes he was gifted but his other deficits would not allow for him to succeed until they were addressed. As the school psychologist explained to us...until they filled in the holes and gaps in his learning he would not be as successful.

We still struggle every day with him but it is getting better and one day my sweet boy will probably go on to great things...

You have a right to the information about your child and I am surprised if not a bit skeptical that they would not hand that information over to you, but then again I don't know the laws in your state regarding that information.

Lastly as a mother, it is far easier to listen to the people who are showering your child with praise than those who are telling you something that is hard to accept, please try to collect all the information you can before making any rash decisions.

I wish you luck!


edit: how old is your child...is she on the young side of kindergarten or the older side? sometimes it is just an age issue...

[xmas74]

55. Young side(turned 5 in June).

They didn't want to hand over the info. At first they said that they did not have it there and then they said that they needed her father's sig (who has no contact w/ her) in order to hand it over.
I contacted an attorney. They handed it over today.
My best friend teaches special education and she says that it is an issue of funding. The more students in spec ed the more will qualify for Title One. The more who qualify for Title One the more money the school will get.
She has taught these types of students for a few years now. Her mother has for almost 20 years. Both say that she has no business in these classes (and both are brutally honest people-they would never spare the truth if they thought I needed it).
Her mother says that spec ed seems to be a place to farm all the lower income and minority students lately (especially if you receive any low income services like reduced lunch-we just started since I lost my job.) She says that they (her school district, which is different from mine) seem to consider the "economically disadvantaged" to be "high risk behavior" students and are sending them to special ed at early ages. She has had numerous students in her class that didn't need to be there but the district received additional funding because of it and she wanted them placed back in regular classes. She also stated that, because of these problems, this would be her last year teaching in the public school district.

[bleedingheart]

61. if the school is trying to gain more funding by falsely claiming

that children are disabled, they can be in a world of trouble with the State and Federal Government.

Now I do know that the Reading programs (Title 1) in our state are based on income within an area. So in our district the only elementary schools that have the Reading program available are those that have more poor folks in the area....which really is stupid when you think about it. There are a lot of kids whose parents are middle class but need help and just because people are poor doesn't mean their kids aren't smart or getting the attention they need at home to thrive. I know many wealthy parents who ignore their kids.

[xmas74]

64. Exactly.

That's what my best friend's mother said. My daughter could read, write some basic words (dog, cat, etc-still hard for her though since she's learning how to better grip w/ her left hand. Everyone kept pushing her to write righthanded but she's a leftie) and she can do some basic addition and subtraction (in her head and on her fingers-not on paper yet) before she entered school.
Best friend's mother says that the program I have offered her at home is better than she would get at school and she is ahead of the group right now. She says to keep it up.

[bleedingheart]

70. I just received my son's app for the district reading program

funny that I would see this email today.

I am of course signing him up because it is a great program and the reading instructor at our school has even lent me books to help him at home as well.

Good luck with your daughter!

[xmas74]

72. Thank you.

If she needed the help I would gladly sign her up. But she is the only person in her class that can even read so she doesn't need a program of this level.
It will take away time and money from a child who can use it more. She needs something that will challenge her instead-not the classes they want to put her in.

[ismnotwasm]

77. I had my Grandson for his kindergarten year

While my daughter was stationed in Afghanistan. He had some behavioral issues (Was actually suspended, little bad-ass) When we had a meeting with the teacher, the social worker and I forget who else, the teacher brought up ADHD also. I asked "How does one separate emotional trauma and subsequent behavior from ADHD? No one had an answer of course. Our solution was to sit in class when we could. He didn't know what days. He got so it was more of a "reward" to have Nana or Great grandpa in class. It worked. Anyway, the kid is bright, energetic and doesn't take any shit, plus a bit of a perfectionist. (NOT OCD which is also very popular to diagnose children with right now) Out of a class of 15, 5 had behavior issues and had daily "contracts" These 5 kind of fed on each other. My poor little guy was just broken hearted if his contract wasn't perfect. It turned out well, he's back in Hawaii with Mama, and doing very well in first grade. My daughter returned before the school year was out, and his teacher signed a release saying he was academically prepared for the first grade. In fact, this teacher said he was the brightest student. Anyway, it was a bit of a fight, just wanted to share my story!

[xmas74]

78. Thank you.

Her main issue right now seems to be boredom. She finishes her work before the other students and then sits there w/ nothing to do.

[tjdee]

81. That is some bullshit, alright.

I used to get bored like your daughter because I finished my work too quickly (uh oh, LOL, don't want to veer back into the 'gifted children' thing again!!)--and they said I had a 'behavior problem' (this was in the early eighties, before the ADHD craze).

When all was said and done, I ended up skipping a grade.

I'm glad you know your daughter doesn't have a problem, and every time they tell you about some dumbass ADHD meds, you tell them that her psychologist says she doesn't need them.

It is so unfortunate that some of the education professionals don't have the information/energy/tools/extra help to deal with different kinds of children. They all get herded along...just sad.

[xmas74]

82. That is the real problem.

They don't have the time or the resources to deal w/ her when she is bored so they want to ship her out to another classroom where there is more one on one time. If it were a class that would challenge her I would have on problem but this class will not-it will compound the problem.