Des Moines Schools

[acrozier22]

They still have TAG. It used to be pretty good at our school until we switched superintendents. Our current one basically finds a way to funnel the federal TAG money into other things, like buying computers that are allegedly for use by the TAG kids but are always out in some other classroom, even when the TAG kids are working on a computer intensive project.

The TAG teacher IQ tested our kids in elementary school. They didn't do any more testing before the first IEP but that was a long time ago.

Our small town high school had dual enrollment courses through the community college but the only AP was online. My kids did a bunch of dual enrollment, most of which was not very challenging. They did AP Calc, Chem, and Physics online, but the kid really has to be pretty smart to get away with this without a live teacher. Husband is a genius so that was never a problem, they had someone to ask questions. They also took online classes from Iowa State which the school district paid for. Nice thing about Iowa State online stuff, as opposed to AP and dual enrollment, my son who is at ISU not only got the credit for those but also the grades.

When we were in a suburban district they were not nearly as flexible with scheduling issues. While our small town school doesn't have as many offerings, they are more flexible and the kids are not limited on the number of extra curricular activities they want to do.

You can make about anything work as long as the parents stay involved, but don't micromanage their kids once they reach a certain age.

There are no such federal funds for TAG. The only federal funding schools in Iowa receive are for special education, title 1 services, and vocational classrooms. I have also never heard of materials that are exclusive for TAG students. Special education and Perkins (vocational) funding works in this manner but TAG simply comes out of the general fund.

[acrozier22]

We were given IQ tests in 1st grade or whenever they tested us for TAG - I don't know if that's how they still do it? Shoot, I don't even know if they still have TAG. At least that would be one less hurdle to jump for the IEP.

We were given very few advancement options - they tried to skip me ahead a grade, but my mom was worried I was too shy when I was little.

Dept of Ed regulations require all TAG students to have a personal learning plan (PLP) but an IEP is designated for students with disabilities only. IEP students carry weighting which allow schools to receive additional funding.

[cloneswereall]

I think it would depend on where you live in Beaverdale. I think part of Beaverdale goes to Roosevelt. I wouldn't have any problems sending kids there. It has diversity, but still a really good school. I might have a little more hesitation sending my kids to Hoover. I think it's really gone down hill in the last 10 years. I've heard quite a few Hoover grads from 10+ years ago say "It's not the same as when I went there." Which is probably because of people open enrolling.

With that, my order of willing to let my (future) kids enroll would be:

1. Roosevelt
(a little gap)
2. Hoover
(a big gap)
3. North
4. East
5. Lincoln

Personally, having worked in, around, and with other teachers in the DSMP district, I would move North down to a tie with Lincoln and move East up. I'm also not quite sure East is all of that big of a drop from Hoover. Just seems like there's a bigger gap between the top 3 and bottom two in the district.

[capitalcityguy]

I wouldn't put my kids in the DSM school district. If I worked in Beaverdale, I would live in Urbandale, Johnston, or Ankeny and send my kids there. If you lived in Beaverdale, your kids would go to Hoover right?

Which high school is only relavant if they plan on staying in their next home that long. Sounds like the kids hasn't even started school yet.

The west side DM schools are generally solid. It is not really fair to lump all the schools together.

That said, if you stilll are apprehensive about DM public, then you only have to go a few blocks north of Beaverdale and you hit the Johnston school distict (even though it is still Des Moines proper). Some very nice home options and you'd still be close to work.

[kingcy]

We were given IQ tests in 1st grade or whenever they tested us for TAG - I don't know if that's how they still do it? Shoot, I don't even know if they still have TAG. At least that would be one less hurdle to jump for the IEP.

We were given very few advancement options - they tried to skip me ahead a grade, but my mom was worried I was too shy when I was little.

They still have a form of TAG, not sure if it is the same as the old TAG. My daughter is in 1st grade and havnt heard anything about it yet.

I know in our district the do break the kids out into differnet reading groups starting in K. They also test out of different levels in other topics, if you pass your weekly test you move on to the next level, if you dont you keep at the current one.

[CyDude16]

LOL at the stupidity in this thread.

[MNCyGuy]

LOL at the stupidity in this thread.

Care to elaborate?

[dosry5]

Touche! (Not "touch." There's a difference.)

Thats hot.

[IAStubborn]

I've heard GREAT things about DM's ends of the spectrum, like you said. They have really well-developed programs for both special ed and TAG/AP stuff, while most smaller schools just don't have the resources/needs for those two ends.

I was one of those students that were both, I was ADHD and mildly dyslexic but qualified for TAG. They couldnt figure out to send me to the resource room or tag early on and actually spent time in both. So to call it a spectrum isnt entirely accurate more like two spectrums. They were involved enough to care when I was younger in a smaller district (nevada) and realized I had a high aptitude for learning just not in every traditional sense. When I moved to Iowa City I was on my own nobody even noticed one way or the other, which was fine because I had good parents. I do think des moines is better at addressing the needs of kids like me that are not the atypical student. West Des Moines seems to have the Iowa City mentality of the scores are good so we dont have problems.

[Angie]

I was one of those students that were both, I was ADHD and mildly dyslexic but qualified for TAG. They couldnt figure out to send me to the resource room or tag early on and actually spent time in both. So to call it a spectrum isnt entirely accurate more like two spectrums. They were involved enough to care when I was younger in a smaller district (nevada) and realized I had a high aptitude for learning just not in every traditional sense. When I moved to Iowa City I was on my own nobody even noticed one way or the other, which was fine because I had good parents. I do think des moines is better at addressing the needs of kids like me that are not the atypical student. West Des Moines seems to have the Iowa City mentality of the scores are good so we dont have problems.

The International Baccalaureate program I mentioned in another OT thread actually is designed to help students in your predicament nowadays. It's to help gifted students and those who need extra attention - I guess there are a pretty decent number of ADHD kids who are gifted in their program. It's good to see something being done to help provide outlets for smart kids with a ton of energy. :)

[FG80]

You received terrible information from the Dept. of Ed. No surprise.

Here is the kicker with open enrollment. You must have your application in by March 1. The date deadline must be waived if you qualify for one of these exceptions:

1. Change in district residence due to a family move.
2. Participation in a foreign exchange program
3. Failure of negotiations of reorganization or whole grade sharing
4. Loss of accreditation
5. Pervasive harassment or severe health issues

95% of the time, the only exception is option #1. Family moves into a district and wants to attend another district. Regardless of the date, the sending district must accept it.

Here are a few things to think about. While the sending district must approve your OE application if it's before March 1 or meets the exceptions, the receiving district doesn't have to accept you. If you OE to Waukee and they are at capacity, they have every right to say no. Communicate with districts before you file paperwork. File the paperwork with the school you will want to attend, not your resident district.

The last thing is that transportation is up to you. You waive your right to transportation as an open enroll student. Don't complain about it either as your tax dollars that you pay your local school district do not even come close to the money they send to the district your child will be attending. You are eligible for transportation assistance money though, I think that amount was around $500 this year.

Hope that helps.

That is not that easy when you are talking the bigger urban schools. If they have a diversity plan, which most do, they can deny the OE. The transportation assistance is only if you qualify for free or reduced meals. It is based on the statewide average of what it costs schools to transport a child. It is not the same amount each year.

[capitalcityguy]

LOL at the stupidity in this thread.

Thankfully we can be graced with helpful, intellectually stimulating input like to help raise the bar on the content of this thread going forward.

[acrozier22]

That is not that easy when you are talking the bigger urban schools. If they have a diversity plan, which most do, they can deny the OE. The transportation assistance is only if you qualify for free or reduced meals. It is based on the statewide average of what it costs schools to transport a child. It is not the same amount each year.

Correct, except it's not based on F/R lunch, it's a separate chart.

Only five schools have a diversity plan: Des Moines, Davenport, Postville, West Liberty, and Waterloo.

[MattforState]

Personally, having worked in, around, and with other teachers in the DSMP district, I would move North down to a tie with Lincoln and move East up. I'm also not quite sure East is all of that big of a drop from Hoover. Just seems like there's a bigger gap between the top 3 and bottom two in the district.

Interesting. I guess I'm a little biased. My wife did some tutoring at North. So, she used to brag about her North students and the good things happening there.