Gifted Program (Full Version)

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KatMack -> Gifted Program (4/10/2008 4:31:48 PM)

My DS is six-years old, in first grade and reading at an almost sixth grade level. His teacher has recommended testing him for the gifted program and I was just wondering if any one had expereince with it.

Watcha think? Is it worth it? Did it help your child? Marshall's already on the verge of outstripping the reading program that's supposed to carry him through fifth grade. I don't want him to lose that momentum and passion for learning he has, but I also don't want to burn him out.

--Kat



artemis -> RE: Gifted Program (4/10/2008 4:39:48 PM)

Does your district do pull-out for gifted students or do they have them in a separate classroom or school?

The district I grew up in used to put all the gifted students in one classroom and it was not a well done program. The students did not adjust well when they went back into "regular" classes in jr. high. The district now pulls the gifted students out for supplemental instruction a few times a week and takes them on extra field trips. I think the new system is working better for that particular district.



2shaye -> RE: Gifted Program (4/10/2008 4:46:54 PM)

Our elementary schools have the GATE program. The kids have to be tested to be in it and there was one class per grade that was for GATE kids. They go through the same basic curriculum, but instead of going ahead, they go horizontal. The materials are enriched with more learning possibilities. For example, in first grade, rather than just do a worksheet as an introduction to writing a book report, the kids did the worksheet, AND wrote a report. They may have also done something else with the book, like make a model of one of the characters or something.

I'd go ahead and have him tested as there is no harm in that. You and your dh can then pray over what direction you want to go.



Jenny-Fair -> RE: Gifted Program (4/10/2008 6:45:58 PM)

I was a GATE student. In my district, they had each grade school keep all the GATE kids for one graduating class, so I had to be bussed across town in order to be part of the program. In addition, we were kept segregated from the 'normal' students at the school to which we were assigned. Separate art, PE, everything, and our requirements were different-more academics and fewer 'fun' things. In fact, one of our teachers, (we had two classes because we were a larger group, and were also separated into different levels for math and language arts), who was teaching his very first year (and LAST as it turned out) felt so sorry for us that he started a soccer program for us so that we could get out and move around. I was not a sports person but I participated simply from lack of physical activity! Also, the school principal treated us like showpieces, and I remember feeling very much like he did not care about us as much as he did about our test scores. This was in the fifth grade.

Now, I did have two fantastic teachers that year. We were able to move at a faster pace, and spend a bit more time exploring things and doing unit studies. But I begged to be put back in regular school...not realizing that not only would I spend the next year bored stiff (seriously, I read through class every day for nine months) but that the other kids would stigmatize me simply for having gone to 'smart school'. Also, although the education was advanced, it was not any more individualized than the education I received in any other classroom.

Oh, and it also submitted me by default to Johns Hopkins for a study of gifted kids, which required taking the SAT every year from 7th grade on, etc. That wasn't a bad thing--by the time I was old enough for my SAT scores to count, I was pretty good at the darn thing! LOL

The above is not meant to be either a negative or positive portrayal of my time in GATE, simply to point out some of the pros and cons of MY experience (many of which contributed to my decision to homeschool....if I'm allowed to say that in here, lol)[8D]



garsyt -> RE: Gifted Program (4/10/2008 7:09:48 PM)

There are several questions you need to ask yourself.

Although your child might be ready academically - Is he ready emotionally? Is he mature enough to deal with an accelerated program?
Is there a seperate self contained classroom or even and entirely different school for the gifted program or do they just do pull out services?
How is he doing in other areas? Is he excelling equally all around? Does he do as well in math and Science as he does in reading?

We live in a district where they do both pull-out and full emmersion gifted programs ALL the way through 8th grade. There is a seperate building for the gifted program for the elementary students. However if a child is passes only the math portion of the testing they go into a pull-out program at their neighborhood school. If the student passes all portions of the enterance tests they are then transferred to the gifted school.

My eldest was tested in third grade, passed both portions but since it was his first year in public school, after much prayer and conversation we decided to keep him in his neighborhood school and only allow a pull out for math. He progress through 4th and 5th grade math in 4th grade, and then 6th and 7th grade math in 5th grade. He then tested into pre-algebra in 6th grade. He's on track right now to be taking Advanced placement Calculus or AP Stats his senior year. He has also recently been approved to take other AP or honors course throughout high school starting this next fall. So the gifted program worked for him, when it was tailored to HIS needs and to where his strengths lay. I think an elementary full emmersion program would have been determental to him because he was not mature enough emotionally to deal with an accelerated program when he was in 4th grade and accelarated math was about all he could handle.

Now my eldest dd was tested in Kindergarten, in 2nd grade and then again just a few weeks ago in 4th grade. Her first two times she missed passing the exam by just a few points, which was okay with me because I didn't think her going to the other school was in her best interest or our entire family for that matter. We still haven't gotten the results back this year. My husband and I have decided to let her make the decision on if she wants to attend the special school or not. So far she is leaning toward attending there if she passes. She is ready for a challenge and mature enough to deal with the changes. I don't know if I'm all for it at this point. I see the benefits, but I also know how much my dd adores her teachers at her current school. She LOVES her Art, music, and science teachers and they are EXCELLENT teachers too. I've heard from other gifted students parents that those areas are not as strong at the gifted school. I'm of the belief that those areas are just as important as reading and math for some children and shouldn't be skimped on for the sake of academics. But we'll wait and see, and if she does choose to enter the gifted program, I'll supplement those other areas at home.

Have him tested, review the resuts and pray about what decision you should make. God is clearly telling my husband and I we have gifted children BUT that we need to include them in the decision making as well as keeping their strengths in mind.

Blessings,

Garsy



PrincessDonna -> RE: Gifted Program (4/11/2008 9:46:12 AM)

Garsy had some great questions.

I'd think at his age, it would be better to have a pull-out program for reading and comprehension, and leave him with his regular class for everything else. Or see if the teacher is willing to allow him to simply read higher level books independently, since it doesn't sound like he has need of a "sit in a circle and read" kind of group.



debilyn -> RE: Gifted Program (4/11/2008 10:27:45 AM)

Our gifted program uses both "pull-out" and "all-day" programs depending on the number of students who qualify. This program continues through eighth grade, then most of these students transfer to the "honors classes" in high school - which involve math, english, science and history.

Those in the pull-out program are pulled out for either language arts or math/science. Those in the all-day program have specific teachers (sometimes one per class, sometimes one for language arts and one for math/science).

My children did not test into the program, but some of my friend's children did. They tell me that the teachers use the same basic curriculum that others use, but add more in-depth study - more projects or research. Language arts often involves reading books as a class - higher level reading with more discussion or reports.

I think we do say this often in PPS, but:
- Talk to other parents whose children are in the program in your area because many schools/districts/states do these things differently.
- Pray about it.
- Make an informed decision based on your information and your knowledge about your child's strengths, weaknesses, and special abilities.

God bless you and guide you as you make your decision.



KatMack -> RE: Gifted Program (4/14/2008 2:31:29 PM)

Update:

It's too late in the school year to test now, so we're going to wait until next year when they test all the students. I spoke to his teacher this morning and she said that he is, indeed, excelling in all areas. Over spring break, he had a practice book for their upcoming standarized testing. I sat down to go over it with him and he'd only gotten two questions wrong and the two he missed, I could completely see where he'd come up with the answer he chose. He's a pretty smart kid [;)]

Right now I'm trying to decide what to do with him over the summer. I've got to keep him busy while I'm at work or he WILL sit in front of the television all day (and my mom tries, but isn't always the best at enforcing limits on them when it comes to the TV. She gets worn out by my three.). I'm looking for some summer day camps to help him. The problem becomes funding them. They can get pretty expensive!

--Kat



garsyt -> RE: Gifted Program (4/14/2008 2:42:39 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: KatMack

Update:

It's too late in the school year to test now, so we're going to wait until next year when they test all the students. I spoke to his teacher this morning and she said that he is, indeed, excelling in all areas. Over spring break, he had a practice book for their upcoming standarized testing. I sat down to go over it with him and he'd only gotten two questions wrong and the two he missed, I could completely see where he'd come up with the answer he chose. He's a pretty smart kid [;)]

Right now I'm trying to decide what to do with him over the summer. I've got to keep him busy while I'm at work or he WILL sit in front of the television all day (and my mom tries, but isn't always the best at enforcing limits on them when it comes to the TV. She gets worn out by my three.). I'm looking for some summer day camps to help him. The problem becomes funding them. They can get pretty expensive!

--Kat


Kat,

Would the district consider testing him over the summer? I know our district does this with incoming new students.

There are some great workbooks available in Teacher supply stores as well as bookstores like Barnes & Noble.

Blessings,

Garsy



garsyt -> RE: Gifted Program (4/27/2008 12:23:56 AM)

Kat,

I Pm'd you in regards to your other thread. Did you get it?

Anyway - Aryn has decided NOT to enter the gifted program here this next fall and retest next spring to enter the program at the middle school level. I'm glad that decision has been made finally!

Blessings,

Garsy



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