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Gifted and talented

Talk to other parents about parenting a gifted child on this forum.

Has anyone got experience of an IEP

15 replies

Totallytallbird · 27/01/2012 08:36

Hi, just wondering if any of you other G&T parents have had experience of these?
After throwing my toys out the pram and refusing to let DD do her xmas homework (which she could have done with her eyes closed) I was called to a meeting at school - very positive, meant some changes across the whole year so feeling a wee bit proud of myself - the outcome for DD was an IEP. We haven't received it yet so I can't comment on the content, just wondered what to expect. Brew

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onesandwichshort · 27/01/2012 09:52

I haven't, but do keep us updated, as that's what we're going to be asking for too. School keep promising but not delivering, and it's the only way I can think of which might hold them to account slightly.

What year is your DD?

Totallytallbird · 27/01/2012 10:15

She is yr1, currently level 2c writing, 3b reading (reading age 8.5 at start of school yr, lord knows what it would be now), and 1a numeracy. TBH I'm rally impressed with the school. They have been very accomodating and honest, but as I say, I haven't seen it yet, so maybe it won't materialise. Worst case I would hope to get it on parents evening. Smile xx

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blackeyedsusan · 27/01/2012 11:23

yes, but not for ability.

reviewed approximately termly, meeting with the teacher for input. main statement of needs and secondary statement of needs. can't remember if there werre action statements. will have to check.

Totallytallbird · 27/01/2012 15:08

Thanks Susan Thanks, there shouldn't be much difference I wouldn't have thought.
We went that route rather than the acceleration route from a social perspective as DD has some lovely friends and we all agreed it was important for her to build on those relationships.
Onesandwich I've checked and parents evening is 1st week in March, so hopefully will update you by then xx BiscuitBrew

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outofbodyexperience · 29/01/2012 01:26

Yes of course, ieps for areas of high ability are identical to those for other special educational needs, so googling 'ieps for sn' will give you more info than you can handle. Grin

Essentially, there will be targets, which should be 'smart' (lots of info about smart targets for ieps via google), and as she's yr 1, they should be reviewed six monthly. Best practice is termly, but it isn't necessary for her age group (yr r still termly).

They are a good tool if the school aren't differentiating, as it helps them look at areas of focus, but tbh an iep isn't at all essential if differentiation forms a normal part of the school day.

Tbh, an iep which covers literacy will probably just cover most of the stuff they are doing anyway -access to other levels of books etc, and extended writing and comprehension work. They might decide to let her go up to yr 2 for some of the guided reading or whatever. Or (the usual) just get her to write book reviews for her homework. I have to say that infant extension work is fairly predictable. Grin but I'd love to hear if they come up with some interesting ideas!

As an aside, usually parents are invited to the iep review. In practice, iep review for g&t kids is quite often assimilated into the normal parents evenings. But do ask for a sep interview if you feel the need. Some schools do decide to run an iep review day twice a year as well.

But google is your friend.

We've seen quite a lot of ieps and ipps here. Grin I have to say I don't get particularly excited by them -a lot can be v generic. If school are differentiating appropriately there is little need for the additional paperwork. But if they aren't, then make sure the iep is well written and 'smart'.

Totallytallbird · 30/01/2012 14:37

Thanks outof body, that's really illuminating. Are you a Teacher, or personal experience? She is doing guided reading with yr2, and differetiated tasks in her own class sets. I must say since that meeting the homework she's bringing back has seriously stepped up a gear, not just in literacy but numeracy too. I'm just glad they're doing what they can to help her - takes the pressure off at home a bit, otherwise she doesn't know what to do with herself and I quickly run out of ideas (and time!) Grin

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outofbodyexperience · 30/01/2012 14:57

Personal experience. Have 3 kids with ipps at the more able end and two of them also have (or will have) ipps for sn. Was also an sn governor at one point.

Totallytallbird · 14/03/2012 08:37

I got the IEP at parents evening. Pretty basic stuff, detailed everything that already happens - guided reading yr2, differentiation in lessons. Also added creation of a literacy and creativity club and potentially a g&t club. Quite positive I thought Grin

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Iamnotminterested · 14/03/2012 10:05

A G&T club??

Why?

lou2321 · 15/03/2012 11:11

I am confused as to why they needed to do an IEP if they were doing all those things anyway, I agree with outofbody, it is a good tool for those schools who aren't providing the extra resourses for the brighter children.

My DS's school do all those things as a matter of course. His levels are identical to your DD's in the same subjects but they don't necessary class him as G&T (well they've never said those exact words, just how able he is), not sure they even have a programme.

Personally as my DS is only a 1a (not that much above average really) for numeracy compared to the higher levels in literacy I want to concentrate more on numeracy to help him reach higher levels across the board.

Is this something you have thought about at all?

Totallytallbird · 15/03/2012 11:52

G&T refers to the child's level as against the rest of the cohort, not the rest of the country. The school chose to put an IEP in place to formalise the provision DD is provided with, this will then go with her throughout the school as a starting point for her next teacher rather than each making their own assessments at the beginning of the academic year.
Lou, I'm very happy that you school doe this as a matter of course, unfortunately not all do, hence the original posts, nor did I post as a form of competition, bragging etc. Is what something I thought about? I don't concentrate on anything at home, I'm a single mom with a full time job so I support DD to do what she chooses to do and certainly don't push her to reach higher levels.

Iamnotinterested - if you're not interested why ask? G&T club so the children can build bonds across year groups and across competencies, maybe increase their confidence and social skills, discover other things they have in common...

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Iamnotminterested · 15/03/2012 13:34

Totallytallbird "G&T club so the children can build bonds across year groups and across competencies, maybe increase their confidence and social skills, discover other things they have in common..."

Hmm erm...why only a "G&T" cohort??? Surely all children, regardless of ability, should be allowed to do these things?

Iamnotminterested · 15/03/2012 13:35

BTW I am notMinterested.

lou2321 · 15/03/2012 16:41

Sorry, I don't think the tone of my post sounds how I meant it, I wasn't being funny and I didn't think you were bragging at all you sounded very genuine, I have the same feelings that if I ever (god forbid) mention my DSs levels its being competitive etc etc but if he was behind everyone would be very supportive. I have many of the same issues that you have said and although the school do the things you mentioned in the IEP as a matter of course its not always enough. We are going down the independant route as I don't feel the state schools do enough for brighter children.

What I meant was - have you thought about concentrating on the numeracy side, she is clearly excelling at the literacy so will probably continue to do so all by herself.

I think its is extremely hard having a G&T child or able or whatever you want to call it, people can be cruel but sometimes when writing a post it can be misinterpreted. I posted something similar myself on my first MN post and had some quite nasty negative comments back - jealousy - who knows?

Personally I'd steer clear of the G&T label, it causes problems and there is always someone out there who is bigger and better (so I have been told on here there are loads of Y1 children at level 4b apparently??!!!!)

Totallytallbird · 16/03/2012 12:20

Lou, sorry I think I was being a bit defensive too. TBH I hate the g&t label, it's one given by the school not by me. I have no prob with whatever DD chooses to do.

She likes and is good at numeracy, it's a confidence thing with her on that one and I do try to build that through playing number games. If the school believe her to be 1A so be it, what in a number really?

Her main focus is on creativity - they're now talking g&t register for art as well, she also love to sing & dance (constantly).

It is really hard having a high potential child (NAGC term, have you tried them?) as you end up with no-one to talk to without being accused of bragging. A parent asked me at sports day last year what book level DD was on. I reluctantly told her and her face just dropped...I ended up feeling guilty Confused

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