Hi Dottie - yes, the plot thickens. I didn't want to throw too much at everyone at once!;)

How do your kids handle being in the same grade? We worry that the younger one will always be in the older one's shadow.

Our school has a cooperating GT trained teacher at each grade level so the Id'd Gt kids are grouped in the same class and that teacher works closely with the GT coordinator. So, if they were in the same grade , they would really need to be in the same class,too.

I'm not sure how either of them would feel about a skip, we haven't mentioned it to them because I don't want them to worry needlessly.

If we did skip, though, I would want to do it gradually by having them start to visit the next grade this year and get comfortable with the kids and the different expectations so they wouldn't jump into it *cold* at the beginning of next year.

This is why I am asking about testing, etc.

It may all be a waste of time b/c the GT teacher said our district really frowns on grade skips and that they are "nearly impossible" to achieve.

However, if I'm convinced they need it, I'm willing to fight for it. I guess I just need a little more convincing first. (and dh needs A LOT more convincing!)

Thanks!
Jamie

I think we had a lot of things stacked in our favor, with our "twin" situation. One plus that you don't have is the different genders. I think this helps keep them separate naturally, as they aren't "competing" for friends, etc. The younger one is still "ahead" of the older one, so if anything, the shadow falls the other way, . They are REALLY close though, and it seems to be working quite well at the moment, although it was a little awkward at first (lots of questions for DD about whether her brother was a twin, etc).

We have no contained GT class, and fortunately the pullout generally has two "halves". My two are currently in different halves.

Testing is a good first step, as you can do that without really sharing the reasons behind it with the girls. However, before even seriously considering it, I do recommend you feel them out about the possibility.

FWIW, our school frowns very much on grade skipping too, and it's been an interesting marathon convincing them to try it. I've had to be certain myself though about its need, or at least poker face that certainty (saving my second guessing for places like this!) Oddly enough, the school never seemed concerned about the sibling issue (although the IOWA scale I suggested above has that as a big no-no!)

It sounds like you'll need/want the testing at least for your own reassurance. Have you looked into possible ways to get that extra data? There are no guarantees for the "down the road" outcome of course, but having good analytical data going into the decision can really help.

I send you a PM Jamie. I am very interested in these questions . . . . .
J

Jamie,
I guess I am wondering if there is something specific that you wish to accomplish with the skip. Is first grade notoriously boring for kids at the school? are there no teachers who are good matches for GT kids? Will the school be unwilling to do adequate subject accelerations through elementary? Are your daughters unhappy, bored, getting lazy intellectually?

I have a son who is perfectly capable of skipping and has even casually been offered one by the principal. But he loves his class and is getting most of his needs met with subject accelerations, so he has no real need or desire to skip. Each year he has been in school has been useful to him in many ways--with each teacher having something unique to offer him. We would have bee sad to miss any of his elementary years. I know we have been lucky in a variety of ways and that under other circumstances we probably would have seriously considered a skip. Each year I worry that this will be the year that there will be problems, but he's in middle school now and everything is going great.

I just think a lot depends on the child's personality, their attachment to their classmates (especially for girls social relationships can be important), and the schools ability and interest in meeting the child's needs creatively. These factors are just as important as the test scores.

That's truly a dilemma you have on your hands with the sister in the next grade up. I know it can work (it has for Dottie) but for my children I know it would not work. I have same gender like you, except they are boys. My middle child has been skipped twice and is now in 7th. His brother, who is 3 years older, is in 8th. The younger one really could benefit from at least one more year acceleration but both brothers are adamant that they do not want to be in the same class. (small school, only one class per grade) Granted they are older than yours are right now so that might make a difference. But even if I had moved the younger into the same class as his brother years ago, there would be problems now relating to puberty and maturity. Plus you have the added dimension of your older one being almost, if not as gifted, as the younger. Would she maybe resent not being allowed the chance to move ahead like her sister? I think in your case, they would both have to skip.

As to whether they SHOULD skip or not is a different question. Some do well with out accelerating. Some, like mine, were imploding before we started the gradeskip route. I'm not a big fan of testing for testing's sake, but I think in your case, you really do need to know what you're looking at. An individually administered IQ/acheivement test, with some above level testing thrown in, would probably giove you a good base of knowledge from which to start.

Jamie.
I feel for you becuse I was agonizing over a similar question only a few months ago. Here is what I have lerned, what became clear:
- they have to be involved, even young kids need to express their opionion, so talk to them and their input will be invaluable - it might actually change your perspective!
- they younger they are when grade skipped, the better - they do not overanalize things so much when younger.
- look at your daughters as individuals, the fact that one is grade skipped, doesn't mean the other automatically has too - this was my biggest eye opener.

Here is my saga from last year, if you ever wanted to read it:
http://giftedissues.gt-cybersource.org/BB/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/3229#Post3229

Thank you for all of the replies. It is comforting knowing there are others out there who have or are currently dealing with similar issues.

Everyone brings up very valid points, many of which are concerns of mine and some which are new.

For some, a grade skip is the best way to go, for others it is not. I need to figure out what is best for my dd - both of them.

acs - I am not sure I know what I want to accomplish through grade skip as much as what I want to avoid. I want to avoid my dd having to endure the mind numbing drudgery of repetitve instruction on topics she mastered over three years ago. I want to avoid her feeling like a complete misfit because no one else is capable of performing even close to her level. I want to avoid her learning how to hide her abilities and thus, her true self in order to *fit in* with *everyone else*.

I agree that each year will bring something positive, but my problem is - will one small positive overshadow the many negatives? Her K year has been a great one solely b/c of an awesome teacher. Even her K teacher worries about moving her on to 1st grade.

Having said that, I am still very uncomfortable with the idea of skipping either child, but particularly of skipping just one. So much so, in fact, that if a skip appears to be our only option , we will probably homeschool instead.

We are pursuing testing and will meet with the GT and K teacher in the next few weeks to discuss options. Right now, I am hoping to come up with some creative solutions such as subject acceleration and hand-picking teachers comfortable with diferentiation for next year but, we'll see.

Thanks again for all of your input and advice and your willingness to share your experiences! I truly appriciate it!

gratified3 - Thank you so much for your candid response! I look forward to discussing things with you further as soon as I figure out how to properly navigate around this board!

Oh, it's you! Oh, I'm so glad you came over. This board will be a tremendous resource to you; I've found it absolutely invaluable, and you and I are coming from similar places with our kids, I think!

How's the Floridian sun treating you, Mia?

We've got 3-6 inches of snow predicted for tomorrow. Ugh.