School needs gifted program!

Laura - posted on 02/09/2011

i'm sorry you had such a negative experience with a G/T program, Julie. Be mindful, however, that it could have been the method used with your kids that caused the stress as there are many different types of G/T programs for schools to choose from. Unfortunately there is no federal standards for G/T programs in schools so they can vary in their effectiveness.

I suggest researching the different methods that are used for G/T programming, Joanne. I can only speak for the system used in my daughter's school district: Kids are tested at the end of 1st grade. If they test high enough, they qualify for what is called the PEP program. PEP stands for "Providing for Exeptional Potential" in our school system. The G/T kids then attend a class, full time, starting in 2nd grade. The PEP classes run through 6th grade. The teachers are specially trained for these classes. The curriculum does include specially designed programs for G/T kids, though the day-to-day classwork is excellerated standard material. Part of the problem with G/T kids is that they learn material at a faster pace than is taught in a regular classroom, hence the propensity for G/T kids to get bored. So speed of learning is used in these classes as well. Once the kids transition to middle school they can either test into Honors classes or are placed there automatically if their PEP grades are high enough. My duaghter is now in middle school Honors classes and is doing quite well after having gone through all of the PEP classes. So research different programs as a start and write a proposal for your local school board to consider. With budgets being cut left and right, I would include a way to finance any program, too. Hope this helps and best of luck to you!

Julie - posted on 01/27/2011

Several of my children were in the program and am I SORRY!
Let your child be a child - they will be an adult soon enough -
Have projects for them to do at home.
The stress it put my kids under ruined their childhoods!

Carrie - posted on 01/21/2009

I completely understand your frustration.  Nothing like using our kids to "up" there test scores!  The "extra" instruction they gave my son was sending him to the computer lab or my personal favorite "busy work".  I am in a similar circumstance myself.  Unfortunatley the options available in my neck of the woods are beyond my financial reach. Maybe we should just enroll our kids in college:) lol  I wish you luck in your quest. Your not the only one so keep talking to people and try to help make a change. 

Sincerely yours,

Carrie Sitz

Groton, CT