skipping

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Home : 2007 : July : 3

skipping
By SusanTeach

I'm not a big fan of skipping grades. I'd love to hear from people who have had success with it, though.

My oldest son missed the cut-off date for K by 2 weeks. He also had an IQ in the 130s (although I forget
the exact number now - I think it was 139). We considered letting him just skip K. We were advised from several friends (who were teachers) that socially it's not always the best option. We kept him where he was, and he did fine! We put him in a private K because they challenged the kids more (that particular one), but then he went to a public school for 1st grade. They moved him into

2nd grade during reading time, but he stayed with his 1st grade class the rest of the time. That seemed to be a good option.

He's made straight As ever since, and has been able to take accelerated classes once he entered middle school (actually they had accelerated math in 5th grade).

My daughter was reading at age 4 (I mean fluently reading), but I still put her through the public K system. She did fine! They tested her for gifted in 1st grade, and she started in 2nd grade. It didn't matter, though, because they challenged her at school and I challenged her at home.

I don't know if that helps you - but it gives you some experience with ones who DIDN'T skip grades. Maybe others can help with ones who DID. :)

(By the way, I hope this post doesn't sound like I'm bragging about my kids - it's not intended to sound that way! I have 3 kids, but these 2 take after their dad ;)).