[Oz-gifted] Saw the counsellor today...

[Ellen Hrebeniuk]

Explained roughly what had been happening from my perspective.  She 
had been talking to the teacher, of course.

Counsellor is new to the school this year.  Her view is that she is 
an advocate for the child and that it is his right to have the 
education that he needs (in fact, I think that is the Department's 
official position too -- that gifted children have a right to 
differentiated learning).

Counsellor is about to be briefed by someone about a new test: the 
Gifted and Talented Rating Scales.  Anyone heard of this?  Could it 
perhaps be the GATES (Gifted and Talented Evaluation Scales)?

If we need a general ability test, she'd give him the WISC-IV as she 
is sure he would ceiling the WPPSI-III.  Unfortunately, at 5.5 he's 
too young for the WISC-IV; she's going to ask for advice from more 
experienced people about what to do.

We're still all a bit hazy on precisely what assessment the Principal 
wants, but are assuming it is according to the Accelerated 
Progression flow-chart, ie "a comprehensive psychological assessment 
of intellectual functioning, academic skills and social and emotional 
adjustment".  I'm going to suggest that she ask the principal what 
depth of assessment she wants.  No point in doing WISC-IV and a 
full-on social adjustment analysis if she's happy with something a 
bit simpler.  DS1 has no social deficits, for example, so would she 
take the teacher's word for it rather than a formal instrument?

In terms of what I'd like for DS1, I am leaning towards acceleration 
in English and some form of curriculum differentiation in Maths, 
probably compression as well as leapfrogging the bits he already 
knows.  The other subjects focus more on Useful Body of Knowledge (eg 
nutrition) and Interesting Experiences (eg drama), so I'm not sure 
much differentiation is required there -- or is this wrongheaded?

My feeling is that rather than jump him from K to 2 instead of 1, it 
would be less traumatic wrt friendships to hold off for a year until 
we understand him a bit better, then perhaps jump him a couple of 
years rather than just one.  Anyone done this?  Any comments?
-- 
Ellen Hrebeniuk
Sydney, Australia

Being a librarian is how you change the world.
Nancy Pearl