Gifted students left behind?

[eaglesprings]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20070817/us_time/failingourgeniuses


Seems "grade skipping" wasn't a problem until the 80s? It seems strange to me that we get a note home every year to see if we want the kiddos to "apply" to the gifted program, but it sounds like the "gifted program" should be more to fill a need, rather than be something a person tries to get their kiddos into?

For me, I'm glad mine are of normal intelligence. They are some smart, talented kids, but I'm sighing relief that they aren't "gifted."

[baby duck]

Conroe does allow kids to skip ahead. It's rare, but I know of at least one case. The whole "applying" thing happens because some parents have the idea that their babies are brilliant, and insist that they be put in the honors or GT classes so that they won't have to brush elbows with the peons.

[eaglesprings]

Conroe does allow kids to skip ahead. It's rare, but I know of at least one case. The whole "applying" thing happens because some parents have the idea that their babies are brilliant, and insist that they be put in the honors or GT classes so that they won't have to brush elbows with the peons.

LOL! Tis okay, I don't want my little peons brushing elbows with such, anyway! LOL!

I've known at least one Mom whose daughter made the program in Intermediate school, but she later decided to pull her out. It was too much work on her, and she wanted her daughter to "be a kid" rather than study all of her after school hours. This particular family isn't "elbow avoiders" but I'm sure there are a few. Every district has them.

[cgwoolf]

Tough call. My kids grew up in the Klein ISD. Daughter graduated from high school in 91. I recall when she was in middle school, 6th grade, I was called in for conference and told she should be in the gifted program at least in math. They told me that normally the 5th grade teachers suggested this but since hers had not, they decided to look into her ability and testing and wanted her in gifted. In checking with 5th grade teacher, found out she had written that daughter was "not ready socially or emotionally" for gifted. I checked in with daughter and she begged me not to put her in so I declined. Then later went on to major in math/teaching and has recently won teacher of the year in the Spring school district. (who would'a thunk it?)

So maybe I should have let her be in gifted program but honestly I had to agree with former teacher at the time that she was pretty immature and took things very seriously to the point that it may easily have affected her emotionally. It's a trickly slope. Some kids are made for it and others are not. The pressure in high school is tremendous.

[eaglesprings]

I can understand a teacher or principal recommending a child for the gifted program. With that recommendation, parents can do just what you did -- decide if it is best, or not, for their own child. She excelled without the gifted program, anyway, so I think you made the right call at the time.

My sister-in-law has had to fight tooth and nail to get her child (obviously gifted, according to IQ and other tests) to get the school he's attended to have him in a gifted program. After three years, the principal finally realized by that state's exit exam that they had been "wrong" and SIL was "right." She's been assured this coming year, he will get all of the services he needs.

I suppose their experience is what made me interested in this article. I need to forward it to her.

[FamilyGal]

My oldest daughter was the gifted program for several years. It was eventually called the KEYS program. For her, it was about keeping her interested. As soon as I thought she was struggling more than just being challenged, I encouraged her to go back to level classes.

My youngest daughter is in several AP classes, but I made her drop AP Science because I swear the teacher was overloading them on WAY too much homework and it just wasn't worth my daughter struggling to pass. Not because she didn't understand the information, but just because of the amount of work. Kids don't need busy work and you can challenge them without overloading them. That is a HUGE peeve of mine.

My oldest son is going back to public school this year after being homeschooled the last year. Because of his grades and testing this past year (everything was recorded through the software we used), they wanted to put him back into all Pre-AP courses like he was before. I asked that he start back out in Level classes. If he aces them and is bored, we will move back up. But, I feel that just dealing with public school will be enough for him at this time. We can re-evaluate after that.

I've never TRIED to get mine into any program. I know it is a huge deal for some parents, but I think it is more about THEIR self-esteem than what their kids need. I do believe in gifted programs or AP classes, but only if the child is bored with level classes and risks not doing as well for lack of interested. They need to be challenged more, but not inundated with busy work. (My .02)

[eaglesprings]

Agreed, but the AP program isn't the same as the "gifted" program, is it?

I wish we would have had AP programs back when I was in high school. I think it is a waste of time for the first two years of college to be a "repeat" of high school, with the "core" classes. AP students can earn those credits while in high school. Wonderful concept!

[Wilson]

I was able to earn dual-credit while in HS - it was set up through the local community college, not the HS. I don't know how CISD does it.

[TXrose]

Pre AP and AP are not the same thing as GT. You have to be tested to get into GT classes. Anyone, according to the College Board who regulates Pre AP and AP classes can take them. If you take an AP class you are eligible to take the test for that class and that way you earn college credit. At this time almost every institution in Texas accepts AP credits. They do not, however, always accept dual credit at the 4 year insitution level. A child may earn 1/2 of their college credit (60 hrs) from AP courses depending on their score on the AP exam. I have hear of one student earning 77 hrs college credit but he could only use 60 because of the regulations that you must have 60 hours credit at the college they plan to graduate from. AP courses are supposed to be more demanding because they are getting them ready for those exams. AP exams consists of a multiple choice section and 3 essay sections.

[FamilyGal]

No, it isn't the same thing, but with Pre-AP, it is just more busy work in my opinion. My oldest was in the Gifted program and tested to enter it. When they asked my twins to test, I turned it down. Sorry if it seemed like I was saying they were the same program. I'm just not impressed that much with junior high Pre-AP.

[FamilyGal]

In my Criminal Justice classes, there have been several high school students earning dual credit. Talk about making me feel old! One of the girls was in my daughter's Girl Scout troop.:o

[TXrose]

No, it isn't the same thing, but with Pre-AP, it is just more busy work in my opinion

It they teaching it according to the College Board Standards, they are not just giving more busy work but preparing students for AP classes. You have to attend training put on by the College Board, they bascially need to be doing the same work that you would in AP classes to prepare them for AP classes. They will do more essays as to prepare for the AP exams they need to learn to write good essays.

I went to a training on AP/PRE AP this summer. It was very informative not only from a teacher aspect but from the aspect of a parent. I will encourage my daughter to take AP classes over dual credit, because from what I have been able to find out, the colleges she wants to attend will accept AP credits before they will accept the dual credits. Also, if your kids is going to take the AP classes make sure they take the AP tests, they are about $80, but they can earn college credit so in the long run you save money. They can't earn the college credit if they don't take the AP exams.

Here's the College Board site that tells all about Pre AP/AP

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/about.html

[FamilyGal]

Thanks for the information TxRose. Are you a teacher?

[TXrose]

Are you a teacher Yes I am :)

[FamilyGal]

God bless you! :)