Gifted program in elementary school - vent! (long, sorry!)

[Mskanga]

Honestly, my kids school get 1/2 hour to one hour PER WEEK.

Its not the much different than regular curriculum.

Same thing here Cindy, not much of a difference.

 

[rubyslipperlover]

I live in one of the top school districts on Long Island.

our g & t program continues to shrink. it's now a one day per week pull-out program for grades 3-5, it's no longer offered in the middle schools. the emphasis now is on honors and AP classes in the middle and high schools, with entry into such classes based on competence in the subject area.

my 7th grader was never admitted into the g & t program. admission is based entirely on a student's score on the terra nova -- a standardized test given to all students in our distric. I had a comprehensive IQ test done in 2nd grade, and her IQ was sufficient for admission into a saturday morning gifted students program at CW Post College, but our school district set the bar so high that most kids who test as "gifted" were excluded from the g & t program.

no matter. she got enrichment at Post from 2nd grade until 6th grade. she's in honors math (the only honors class offered in 7th grade), and next year she'll be in honors clases for all of her core subjects.

and..oh, yeah..she scored high enough on the terra nova last year to be invited to apply for the gifted program at Johs Hopkins. took the SAT exam in january, and while she was disappointed in her score, it's high enough to qualify her for the Johns Hopkins courses should she choose to take them this summer.

 

[TinkBoo&ElliesMum]

I guess I should explain the system within our district.

They have it set up three ways. They have special classrooms in one of the school that kids from all three elementary schools can go to if they qualify, that's for 1-5th grades, after that they attend normal junior high. Otherwise they have cluster classes when they try to get several kids into the same class and they get special attention, otherwise they're classified gifted and in a normal class and may or may not get help.

His teacher this year has made a big effort in challenging the kids who are doing well (he's in the 2nd grade) he's been getting 100% on spelling all year even with the "challenge" words. He's reading at a 5th grade level and doing two book reports a month, this isn't a lack of stuff to do, he's just able to do it quickly and correctly.

Last year he was in a normal classroom but they were really challenged, he had to do two full presentation reports during the year, they had more homework, and had to be accountable for it.

I think we're going to get some homeschooling stuff and do it on top of his regular school work.

 

[sjh801]

I am a First Grade Teacher and my advice is talk to your child's teacher. I have quite a few children who are in my clas this year that are "Gifted". Many are not qualified for our "Gifted" program. I have worked out a few individual programs for these children along with their parents...they are still responsible for what we do in class.....they just do a little extra...maybe some critical thinking....maybe some research on the subject on our classroom computer. Quite a few of the children help us come up with some great projects on their own and then I work with them. I have quite a few different projects going on in my class......an art project, a tech project, a photography project and some others. The children may know how to add double digit numbers but may not know the signifigance of tens and ones etc. This is why they are still responsible to sit and do the regular math with the other children (in groups etc). We just build on that.......I have found this works...they don't seem bored and they know if they"slack" off and hand in sloppy work etc...they are not allowed to work on the "free" projects until their work improves. Talk to the teacher!! We are there for the kids.......... We have the best job in the whole world!!!

Here's another first grade teacher who agrees totally with everything said above! Talk to the teacher. Good teachers will work with you and your child.

And, yes, we do have the best job in the world!!!

 

[disneyjunkie]

and..oh, yeah..she scored high enough on the terra nova last year to be invited to apply for the gifted program at Johs Hopkins. took the SAT exam in january, and while she was disappointed in her score, it's high enough to qualify her for the Johns Hopkins courses should she choose to take them this summer.

My son(8th grade) is doing the Johns Hopkins program this year. We're waiting hear which class and campus he'll get. He wanted to take a class in Hawaii but I over ruled that right away.

 

[Pinnie]

I think we often confuse BRIGHT students with GIFTED students.

Here is a chart that will define HOW a truly gifted student differs from a bright one.

http://www.memphis-schools.k12.tn.us/admin/curriculum/clue/comparison.html

 

[grlpwrd]

My 3 dd's also were all tested as g/t except my eldest (13yo) chose to attend a magnet school rather than an IB school for high school or traditional g/t program. I think it's important the child has a say, too. She is not interested in the John Hopkins program, but they have been invited to the William and Mary Center for Gifted Education. My 10yo, though, attends a school with a full time g/t program for 4th and 5th graders. The primary grades have part time g/t programs which is one hour per week at the most.

Also, I don't count on the schools to challenge them as I always have given them supplementary work to do at home.

Anyway, to the OP maybe you can petition or appeal to the school/program. Though even if he doesn't get accepted or even if he gets a shot next time around and that will take time and there is no guarantee - it's not an absolute necessity because he will have many more years to develop his intellect and skills and quite frankly high school and college are the most important years academically.

GL!

 

[J/T Gramdma]

I'm sorry I have to put my 2 cents in here because this is a pet peive of mine. There are many good g/t programs and my 3 three children all who learn differently were in various programs as we moved several times.I fully believe schools need to increase the regular classroom to offer all the children the benefits of expanded info and outside the book learning activities.. Many children who are bright and want to learn are stunted because they are not in the g/t class and those that do go into the programs come out with problems of self esteem because the others make fun of them for being smart and separated from the regular students.Just my 2 cents in watching the programs develope over the past 15-20 yrs. P.S. My 6 yr old 's first program they did not know what to do with these kids so they had them studying egyptians and romans. In fourth grade she was the only child out of all 100 fourth graders to go to g/t and the main resentment came from the teachers as why did this child get in and not children they felt were better.Maybe things are better now but teachers still resent certain kids getting in and other kids do not.

 

[mum4jenn]

The gifted program is called "challenge" and for the children that qualify are grouped into two categories. One group is for the academic part and the other group is for the more creative ones. My dd was in the group for creativity this year. She goes for 1/2 hour 5 days a week. She has really loved it but I have not heard if she will be in it yet next year. She really loves it. During the time she goes there are only two other children with her. They are all in the 1st grade. She has made all A's in both her regular classes and Challenge all year long.

 

[WDWMom]

Inour district a student has to have a combined score of 95%. Your son would not have come close in our schools so don't feel to bad about the scores and not getting in.

Our DD missed our G & T program by 1 point. We didn't do anything about it. Her teacher said he would give her a recommendation but turned him down flat. She may be bright, but does not have the motivation. This was 5 years ago and I see no difference in her education than the students who went into the program. They are in 8th grade now and I am happy with the choice we made.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I think we often confuse BRIGHT students with GIFTED students.

Here is a chart that will define HOW a truly gifted student differs from a bright one.

http://www.memphis-schools.k12.tn.us/admin/curriculum/clue/comparison.html

That is very true. The funny thing is that I think of my two kids who were labeled g/t more as "bright" kids", but my son who was not labeled g/t at all seems more g/t. Of course a lot of that is how he tested. Maybe he was having an off day...a few years in a row.

T&B

 

[Tinkerbelle739]

It is the same way in our district. My DD has been "asked" to participate AFTER she is tested in May.

How you are chosen to be "invited" is anyones guess and who they actually allow into the program is just as mysterious. I do hope my DD is "allowed" into the program. She is certainly not being challenged. (She got a 100% on her mid-term exam)

Maybe you should inquire about activities offered by the county or the library for "gifted" children. Good luck!

 

[Cindy B]

our g & t program continues to shrink. it's now a one day per week pull-out program for grades 3-5, it's no longer offered in the middle schools. the emphasis now is on honors and AP classes in the middle and high schools, with entry into such classes based on competence in the subject area.

QUOTE]

Our district only does grades 3-5, with nothing at middle grades at all. The emphasis then is honors courses/enriched math/language arts then.

In some states gifted education is considered separate from special education, so more funds are allocatted for the special education students.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

I think we often confuse BRIGHT students with GIFTED students.

Here is a chart that will define HOW a truly gifted student differs from a bright one.

http://www.memphis-schools.k12.tn.us/admin/curriculum/clue/comparison.html

Thank you for pointing this out. There is a difference between "high achieving" and "gifted" children.

Of course everyone wants to think that their child is "gifted." You have to have faith in the instruments used for testing. You would have faith for dyslexia testing, wouldn't you? Well, it's very similar.

The district I work in identifies students as GT in one or more of the four core subject areas (Reading, Math, Social Studies, Science). They are then provided services based upon the identified areas of giftedness.

Oh, and I've been on the other side of the coin, too. This year DD's teacher recommended her for testing. She was not identified, just like I expected. She's bright and does well, but she isn't gifted. The results don't mean that she's not smart, or won't go to college, or that I love her any less. The result simply mean that GT services would not be appropriate, much in the same manner that dyslexia or speech services would not be appropriate.

Remember, parents are the first teachers. You can certainly enrich the regular school curriculm in your own home. To start, I know that you all have computers...

 

[rubyslipperlover]

"gifted" vs. "bright"...yep, my dd is "gifted".

when she was in preschool they used to tell me it was like having another adult in the room.

now that she's almost 13... Lord help me...

 

[minkydog]

This is the problem with the gifted program. You have talented, and more importantly, students that are INTERESTED and enthusiastic about special programs at the school - but no, they have to be labeled "gifted" before they are allowed to participate.

My child was interested in the computer club...sorry that's only for the gifted students. They were interested in newspaper...sorry that's only for the gifted students.

While having challenging programs for those who test well is good - and special programs for those who are struggling are also good, I think the public schools ignor the potential of the majority.

Not sure what the solution is for the public schools. For us, it was to homeschool - where our children can learn and explore whatever they are interested in as well as complete their regular work. So far it is working very well for us.

You said it best. I am not impressed with the Gifted Program. We had similar experiences with the so-called gifted program. DS placed in the 78-88% but the gifted cut-off was 98%, so his giftedness was only ordinary. We decided to homeschool shortly after that and he performed brilliantly at home. The sad thing is when he went back to school(9th grade), they didn't want to recognize his particular brand of brilliance(music/theater) but only focused on his severe learning disabilities. They signed him up for boring technical courses, and this year refused to allow him to take any fine arts. He became extremely discouraged and finally dropped out in his senior year & joined Disney On Ice. He hates school and won't even consider college. When he gets home I will homeschool for his remaining credits and he will graduate in June.

 

[Tiger Fan]

so he made sure his test scores would not be "worthy".

Emily was tested earlier this year as well and after the test she made a similar remark about not wanting to be in Quest. I really don't think she would have tested high enough anyway to be in Quest (our version of g/t program) as she has dyslexia and struggles a great deal with spelling and some reading (not comprehension), but is highly advanced in math/science. Her best friend has a brother in Quest and she hears the older kids talking about their extra projects and work and I think she really didn't want that. Not to mention the extreme pressure that has been put on her best friend (she is constantly compared to her older brother , bless her heart). I don't put a lot into or Quest program either since I know for a fact that most of the work on many of their projects are done by the kids' mothers. I constantly hear these moms complaining about what they have to do when they get home and it's always a huge laundry list of what I think these "smart" kids should be doing. Anyway, I wouldn't let your son be discouraged, but you do what you think is right as far as him being challenged. We opted to not send Emily out for Resource for her dyslexia, but rather enroll her in an outside the school program and do additional work at home (I mean Lynn is an elementary Resource teacher anyway ) This has worked much better for us and you might find that finding other things to challenge you son might work better in the end anyway. I'm sorry this stress has been put on you, our kids are so important to us and all of their issues can really weigh on us. He's lucky to have such involved parents. Good luck as you work through this.
Lisa
Tiger Fan

 

[sjh801]

I think we often confuse BRIGHT students with GIFTED students.

Here is a chart that will define HOW a truly gifted student differs from a bright one.

http://www.memphis-schools.k12.tn.us/admin/curriculum/clue/comparison.html

Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!! A friend and I used to have a copy of that article and would share it with parents and other teachers. Both of us lost our copies years ago. Wait until I tell her. And, what perfect timing - we have parent teacher conferences this Friday!

Sandy

 

[ksjayhawks]

The combined score in our district is high, too 95 or 97%. So based on your son's test scores, his average would not be high enough. I would work with his teacher to get more challenging work to do when he is done with other classwork.

 

[Pinnie]

Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!! A friend and I used to have a copy of that article and would share it with parents and other teachers. Both of us lost our copies years ago. Wait until I tell her. And, what perfect timing - we have parent teacher conferences this Friday!

Sandy

You are more than welcome. I use that article a lot myself with parents of my students who what their children tested into the ACAT program. Our districts standards are very high. They have to score in the 99%tile AND be able to work alone and in groups.

pinnie