School District/Gifted kids

[mrsv98]

DD is 10 yo in 5th grade and in the third year of the GaTE program. IMHO, it is worthless as they have schanged it every year she has been in it! DD is truly gifted in any thing to do with language, she maxes out all the MAP and CogAt tests. In math she is bright but not gifted, she has to work for her As and Bs which I think is a good thing.

We basically have a whatever attitude to the GaTE program and make sure she is enriched ourselves. She attends a wonderful gifted program on Sundays during the winter. She is able to chose two classes and really enjoys being around kids who are quirky like her. Since she is an only we are able to enroll her in a variety of other programs that appeal to her.

Her fifth grade teacher does a nice job of keeping her engaged in reading/writing and we are happy with her progress in her regular academic areas.

We haven't had the acting out problem as she is allowed to read when she finishes work early and she is as happy as a clam with that.

Really, as parents, we take responsibility to make sure she is challenged rather than relying on the school district.

 

[Hannathy]

But socially, it's a haven for kids who otherwise tend to feel very much alone. A lot of kids coming into the program say this is the first place they haven't been bullied for being "weird". They no longer feel different from their peers. And they finally feel like they're allowed to like geeky things.

I have to echo this and agree 100%

The first day my DD went to the charter school for the gifted she came home and said how much she liked it and added "Mom it is so nice not to have to explain everything I say! they get sarcasm and understand me"

We could have supplemented her academically at home but just being with kids like herself and thought at her level and didn't think her "weird" for reading all the time was as the say priceless.

And having teachers who understand them and work with them and not against them is also wonderful.

 

[mnrose]

The school district where we have our principal residence does very little for gifted kids other than to grade advance them. Well, when my 2nd grader finished 5th grade math and there was no other curriculum in the school for him to do, the answer offered by my district was to send him to middle school. Heck no! My kid may be highly gifted academically, but he is NOT ready for the cut throat world of middle school when he is 7-8 years old!

It was at that point that my husband and I began an exhaustive search for alternative programs. Fortunately for us, MN is an open enrollment state, meaning that my children can go to any district with space, so long as we figured out how to get them there. We found a wonderful program which is public and located within reason for us, and enrolled both of our kids in it. It is non-graded, and self-directed. Kids work at their own pace in all areas, yet are able to socialize with children their own age who share their quirks.

My greatest wish is that all gifted kids have access to a program like this. It has worked wonderfully well for us.

OP, look around! Most states have some options...although they are not always easy to find. Keep pushing and be an advocate for your child.

 

[mnrose]

IBut socially, it's a haven for kids who otherwise tend to feel very much alone. A lot of kids coming into the program say this is the first place they haven't been bullied for being "weird". They no longer feel different from their peers. And they finally feel like they're allowed to like geeky things.

This is an extremely important part of our children's school. One of the teachers said that when they interview kids for the program the common theme is how lonely they feel in traditional school. Most of them have no true friends, and are vulnerable to being picked on by others. It is really sad.

Did any of you hear about the middle school kid who held his class hostage last week in Wisconsin? When I first heard the story, knowing NOTHING else, I said to myself "it's going to turn out that he was highly gifted." And, of course, I was right. Absolutely tragic, and so preventable if we just spent the time and effort to help these kids who are as far from the norm as special ed students are, except in the opposite direction. And unfortunately, unlike special ed students, there is usually no money or effort put into these kids. They are just supposed to suck it up and deal. It's not that easy!

Off my soap box now.

 

[nmmom95]

My DS7 is in the gifted program, but it just started last year and we are in a Catholic school, so it is only a pull out program a couple of days a week. The teacher is wonderful and he enjoys it, but that does leave a lot of time where he is bored. Luckily, his 2nd grade teacher encourages reading, so we make sure he has a book for when he is done his work. He just started the Harry Potter series, so that should keep him busy for a while. Also, he enjoys computers and electronics, so he does a lot of that at home. The best advice I can give you is to find what he likes and let him run with it. We got my son a video camera and he makes and edits movies on the computer.

 

[kbeverina]

DD is truly gifted in any thing to do with language, she maxes out all the MAP and CogAt tests. In math she is bright but not gifted, she has to work for her As and Bs which I think is a good thing.

In our area have Honors programs for kids who are very high-achievers in specific academic areas. But I don't believe they start until middle school, so you may want to check into that for next year.

A friend from our neighborhood has a son who just seemed different from the very beginning. I can't explain it, but he was just odd. Like, laying down on the soccer field and watching the clouds go by in the middle of the game. We loved him, but he was odd. He went to the G&T school and, wow, it was the best thing in the world for him. It made him into a totally different kid, he just blossomed. I think being among kids he could relate to really helped him learn to relate to all kids.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

Gifted is two standard deviations away from the norm on an intelligence test. There are as many variations in giftedness as there are differences between normal intelligence and mental retardation.

I hope that you have a school board that is committed to providing for GT students, otherwise the district will probably do as little as possible. GT kids just aren't on the "No Child Left Behind" radar, although they are most often the child left behind. There is no funding for GT programs, unlike remediation.

Here are some things you might be interested in:

The work of Jim DeLisle. GT kids have unique social/emotional needs. He is the guru. He has a number of books with wonderful information.

Hoagies page. http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/ Use the restroom first and get a drink. You can get lost for hours.

NAGC - http://www.nagc.org/

Prufrock Press - bookseller focuing on the need of GT students


Best of luck to you

 

[Boston Tea Party]

Difference between high achiever and GT here: http://www.bertiekingore.com/high-gt-create.htm

 

[JoiseyMom]

When I lived and went to school in NYC, you were placed in a gifted class if you scored high enough on the standardized tests. Classes back then were grouped by how smart you were. So for example, if you were the smartest and in 3rd grade you were in class 3-1, the next smartest in 3-2, etc.... When it was time for Junior High School (7 8 9) for me, you had the option for the SP program, either 2 year (8th grade was taught in part of 7th and part of 9th so you skipped 8th grade basically). Or the 3 year SP where you had enrichment (??) I have no idea, I took the 2 year and skipped 8th...not sure what of 8th I was taught though!

Now my kids go to school in NJ. When I moved here my DS's were in 2nd and 3rd grade. My 2nd grader was bored silly, but his teacher's attitude was oh, I have had gifted students, your son isn't one of them . Hmmm...might I now say that he used to sleep through calculus, got a perfect score on his math SAT and a perfect score on his Physics SAT... ok...nuff said!!

Now, my DD14 was accepted into the John's Hopkins program, so she took the SAT when she was in middle school and has the options of taking lots of classes through HJP that cost oodles of money. Her class grades do not show her intelligence though.

My DD9, on the other hand is exceptionally bright, and the smartest in his 4th grade class. They do gifted testing/applications in 1st grade, but we were discouraged from it because of his ADHD. It is very frustrating, because I think he could do so much if given the chance, but becuse of his social skills they don't think it is a good idea. The gifted program in my district is all in one school and these kids stay together through all the grades.

I have just recently started looking at my options..but I doubt my district will pay for my son to get his educational needs met at another district. As far as they are concerned he is doing fine..it doesn't matter to them that he can do so much better. And legally their is nothing they have to do.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Gifted is two standard deviations away from the norm on an intelligence test. There are as many variations in giftedness as there are differences between normal intelligence and mental retardation.

I hope that you have a school board that is committed to providing for GT students, otherwise the district will probably do as little as possible. GT kids just aren't on the "No Child Left Behind" radar, although they are most often the child left behind. There is no funding for GT programs, unlike remediation.

Here are some things you might be interested in:

The work of Jim DeLisle. GT kids have unique social/emotional needs. He is the guru. He has a number of books with wonderful information.

Hoagies page. http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/ Use the restroom first and get a drink. You can get lost for hours.

NAGC - http://www.nagc.org/

Prufrock Press - bookseller focuing on the need of GT students


Best of luck to you

Thanks for the links! My dd FINALLY got in to the GT program in 8th grade. Anyway, doesn't matter she is out of the English class and that is all she cares about.

For those of you with "gifted kids" who are in middle school, they can take the ACT/SAT in 7th through a DUKETIP or something similiar for your area.

My dd did go to a summer program from it. She was in heaven. She applied again to go this upcoming summer.

In addition once your kid is 13/8th grade, they DO NOT need to be invited to take the ACT/SAT. Nice little factoid, I learned this year. So you don't have to rely on the standarized testing 100%. Good to know.

When your child takes this test they can qualify for extra programs out there and there are MANY!!!!!! Online stuff, weekend stuff, summer programs, etc. Plus you get the added bonus of ever boarding school sending you applications to go to their schools.

Just thought I would add. I see you beat to it JoiseyMom.

 

[clori]

My city has k-8 schools. The only gifted option is a full day gifted program at one particular school for grades 1-8. While teachers can recommend it is up to parents to apply and then there is specific criteria to meet to get accepted though it seemed geared for bright vs genius level.

I wish there was a subject pull out or something in each school. My dd10 would benefit from accelerated math but not necessarily accelerated English language arts. For now my dd6 doesn't need acceleration. While I never applied for dd10 her kindergarten teacher felt that dd would be accepted but told me to carefully weigh the pros and cons and gave me some detailed info. Basically the program consists of lots of extra home projects vs higher level learning. Also in my case dd would have given up Spanish which is k-8 with grades 7&8 being more academic 5 days a week and Spanish I (though I don't have a clue if it counts towards high school credit) vs the gifted program with no language before high school. For me the 10 minute walk vs long commute also weighed into the decision.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Darn you Boston Tea Party!!!! There is a link to a sight with "geek toys". My dd's would love this stuff.

Too cute. I might have to get some stocking stuffers.

 

[Let'sGoFlyAKite]

*The same teacher also commented in amazement over how engaged the children were in her lessons. She would introduce a new concept, and hands would shoot up in the air and kids would start asking questions and sharing what they knew about it. She said, "It's such a refreshing break from dead silence!"
This describes my DS EXACTLY!! The teacher tells me he does this every day.

This is an extremely important part of our children's school. One of the teachers said that when they interview kids for the program the common theme is how lonely they feel in traditional school. Most of them have no true friends, and are vulnerable to being picked on by others. It is really sad.

Yes. This is my son as well. He's being bullied and some days refers to school as the "Temple of Doom". I have spoken to the counselor and teacher, and now things are getting better.

Gifted is two standard deviations away from the norm on an intelligence test. There are as many variations in giftedness as there are differences between normal intelligence and mental retardation.

I hope that you have a school board that is committed to providing for GT students, otherwise the district will probably do as little as possible. GT kids just aren't on the "No Child Left Behind" radar, although they are most often the child left behind. There is no funding for GT programs, unlike remediation.

Here are some things you might be interested in:

The work of Jim DeLisle. GT kids have unique social/emotional needs. He is the guru. He has a number of books with wonderful information.

Hoagies page. http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/ Use the restroom first and get a drink. You can get lost for hours.

NAGC - http://www.nagc.org/

Prufrock Press - bookseller focuing on the need of GT students


Best of luck to you

Darn you Boston Tea Party!!!! There is a link to a sight with "geek toys". My dd's would love this stuff.

Too cute. I might have to get some stocking stuffers.

This info is VERY helpful. I will be checking it out over the remainder of the weekend. THANK YOU!

 

[Debbie7452]

Our school district has a GT program, but it doesn't amount to much really. My kids stayed busy with Math team activities and Math/Science competitions. Destination Imagination is another good activity. It really teaches teamwork and leadership skills as well as creativity.

Of course, I have to admit I have a "gifted" child. Our district allows the really advanced students to take Algebra a year early and keep advancing each year (even going to the High school for classes in 8th grade). My DD did that and everything was great until she got to Calculus this year (11th) grade. She's making a 100 average, but next year there's no other Math to take and she has to RE-take the same class. Her schedule doesn't allow for her to go take a college class somewhere. I wish we had thought ahead enough when we decided to go this route! So whatever you do for your DS, think ahead to the long term consequences!

My daughter was a reader, so when she finished assignments early she was allowed to keep busy doing that and stay out of mischief. Your DS is still very young, I hope you find something for him. The schools are really more interested in supporting the struggling kids and we parents of the bright ones have to be proactive to meet their needs. BTDT

 

[LisaNJ25]

I swear everyone on the dis has at least one gifted child!

Not me.. I will bite my tongue over the whole gnt program.

 

[disneychrista]

When my kids were in elementry school they had a pull out program. The kids were bused over there for a half -day "enrichment" program. I honestly don't think it did much educationaly but they enjoyed it.

By the time my youngest was in Middle School (6th grade) they "intergrated" the GATE program into regular school day. Basically the teachers were suppose to give different/extra assignments to the GATE students. There were also "honors" classes for 7th & 8th grade. In High School there are limited honors & AP classes offered.

 

[mnrose]

Difference between high achiever and GT here: http://www.bertiekingore.com/high-gt-create.htm

What a great list! I've seen the conventional analysis discussed in this article, but I think this one is better. When you see a large grouping of the highly gifted (as I do at my kids' school), you truly see the difference. Such an interesting and quirky group of kids.

 

[TLuvsD]

Start reading Hoagies (as noted above). Carolyn (the webmaster of Hoagies) is a wonderful person, and the site is LOADED with information. Contact Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth for out of level testing and great programs throughout the country.
Prufrock Press is a great site, great materials and some excellent holiday gifts.

 

[shelly3girls]

Our district does not have any GT programs or even advanced curriculum. I do not consider DD "gifted" although she does test at the very top nationally on tests. I really didn't care about a GT program bc I thought many of them were a waste of time when I participated. What we did want was an advanced curriculum adjusted for DD's ability. The school would not offer it so we ended up putting her in an advanced private school. The private school immediately identified her as "advanced" and placed her in challenging classes. She is much happier and we are thrilled! She was nominated for the Johns Hopkins Gifted program but she doesn't have any interest so we are not pushing it.

One of the reason I do not consider her gifted is because I know several truly gifted people. I call these people gifted bc not only were they advanced but one of them scored a perfect score on the SATs in 7th grade. This was with no test prep just genuine intelligence and the ability to truly solve math problems.

 

[Aristomommy]

If you define "gifted" as the top 3 to 5 percent of children as measured on an IQ test, then I can *guarantee* you that any teacher who has taught for 11 years has definitely met more than one kid who is "truly gifted".

However, most people don't define "truly gifted" as the top 5 percent. They define it as the top half of a half of a percent. The outliers. The kids who teach themselves to read at age two and can multiply by three. And there's very few of THOSE kids around.

Most kids in the top 3 to 5 percent don't look particularly gifted. Heck, most kids in the top one percent don't look gifted! They can be mouthy, or obnoxious, or shy, or painfully polite. They might be terrible at math. They might have learning disabilities that make it hard to read or write. They're just regular kids, who happen to have a keener-than-average intellect, who don't need to be taught the same lesson over and over to get it. They're "sharp".

Frankly the whole "I've only ever met one kid who was truly gifted" statement makes me grumpy. Too often it's a way of saying that these are the only kids who need help. But lots of other kids who aren't freakishly smart also need gifted programs. They need to be around other smart kids, learning more in depth and at a faster pace. They need less drill and more content.

My school district offers congregated gifted programming for children who score in the top 5 percent. Why? Because a study done for our district several years ago discovered that these children were disproportionately more likely to drop out of school. Congregated gifted programming is designed to keep the children on level (no subject acceleration allowed - they don't want to see 16yos in college), and engaged. The mantra is "broader and deeper, not faster". It comes under the Special Education umbrella.

Academically, it's a bit of a waste of time (three weeks on Circus Arts, anyone?). But socially, it's a haven for kids who otherwise tend to feel very much alone. A lot of kids coming into the program say this is the first place they haven't been bullied for being "weird". They no longer feel different from their peers. And they finally feel like they're allowed to like geeky things.

Thank yup so much for typing this up as you summed up my thoughts exactly. DD struggled in a pull out program that gave the GT kids just enough of enrichment that when they returned to their classrooms, they wer miserable. We changed school districts and found a wonderful GT classroom that went deeper and faster in all subjects. Now DD floats in middle school btw her GT peer classes and regular classes. The self esteem she developed during her younger years is truly showing now.


Every time there is a gifted thread many parents come here to bash us with gifted kids. Our district has a solid requirement for acceptance into the GT program and the district is large enough to identify at least 20 students with 132+ IQ and eligible achievement scores. Why is there a need to bash, when all we want to do is to have our children learn at the pace in a classroom that embraces their different learning style and quirks?