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A few months ago, the school sent home a form requesting permission to test dd for the gifted program. Dd said that almost all the kids in her class got the form, so I didn't consider this anything special. I saw that there was going to be a hearing test performed and since my dd claims she can never hear me, I consented just for the free hearing test (which she passed with flying colors -- I guess she has selective hearing )
I forgot all about this gifted stuff until yesterday when I received a note in the mail saying my dd qualified for the gifted program. Say what? Now, I consider my dd to be a bright child who's very creative and has a great sense of humor, but I would never consider her "gifted". To me, a "gifted" child would be one who would be reading Shakespear by 4 or playing the cello by 5. IMO, my dd falls into the normal category.
I showed this letter to my dh last night and his first words were "Oh, does the school have some kind of quota they have to meet for gifted students?" Do schools have meet some type of quota or do they get extra funding for gifted students? Also, I'm concerned about my dd being labeled as "gifted". Would the teachers started expecting more out of her? If my dd gets in over her head and the work is too hard for her, would she start hating school? Would the "gifted" label open her up to a lot of teasing from other kids? OTOH, if I don't allow my dd to be in the gifted program, would I be holding her back?
I'm very concerned and confused right now. If anyone could give me some insight as to what all this "gifted" stuff means and what the programs are like, I'd greatly appreciate it.
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My 12yo DS is in the "gifted" program for Math and Reading in our school system and I too was very concerned about allowing him to enter the program. He has always received A's in school, but I was concerned about him being labeled and teased. (In our old school system, kids made fun of him for getting A's and he hated being smart!)
I brought my concerns to his doctor and his doctor assured me that he would be fine in the program. He would be around more kids just like him, and there would not be any teasing going on because the kids he's in class with are in a similar situation.
It was the best thing I ever allowed my son to do...he doesn't feel like the smart kid anymore, he's not being made fun of, and he's around kids just like him.
The "gifted" program is an accelrated learning program, that's it! They are learning everything everyone else is learning, just a little quicker and in less time. My son is in 6th grade now and is already doing Algebra I math and he reads alot more books in a year than most kids. My oldest son is in 9th grade and they are learning basically the same things in Math and Reading.
They are tested annually and if they fall into the requirements for the program again for the next year, they will be put back into the program...if not, they will stay in the regular grade program with all of the other kids. Many of the kids do not realize where the others are going when they leave the class and they really do not pay attention to it.
If your very concerned, talk to your doctor...but if she's capable of doing the work...I would let her go into the program. It won't hurt her...and she won't be labeled...and by the time she reaches high school...she is mainstreamed into the classes she can handle, with all of the kids she spent time with in these other classes.
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I know in my school district the school does not get extra money for gifted children. My DD has been in the gifted program since first grade. Our gifted program here is a lot of extra projects that have to be done at home at the parents expense. DD is in the fifth grade and this school year she has to ride a bus to the middle school for math and science then back to her school for the rest of the day. She has really thrived. It has been a wonderful experience for her.
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Gosh, I wish we had a gifted program!!! I think it is great and provides the kids with more challenges!
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The downside is having a bored child. I was that bored child and I was hockey sticks by the time I was in junior high. I didn;t consider myself gifted either but I NEED to be challenged. I say try it u can always go back to regular program.
allgirls
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Okay I was in the gifted/talented program when I was in school. We didn't have a quota or anything as there were only 4 of us in the school (that were in the program). Everyone was able to be tested though. I loved it. I'm not saying there wasn't a little teasing maybe when we were younger but I honestly don't remember it. Nothing more than you would get just for having good grades.
We would get to go and do special field trips to science museums, learn a lot of great stuff, and really get challenged more than we would have otherwise. I was one of those kids that was really bored in school, everything was easy and I didn't understand why I needed to be there. But GT was a challenge and it was wonderful for me.
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I forgot to add:
You should really let your daughter do this if she is interested. It can really be a great experience and can give her an edge. I know it led the way to honors classes, looked good on college apps, etc. Just because you don't see her as gifted doesn't mean she really isn't. Obviously they consider her so and really the program will really help her. It will actually help develop her skills. It will teach her new ways of looking at things also, teach her to think for herself, outside of the box. I can not stress enough how wonderful this program can be.
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My DD goes to a gifted only school, and I was concerned when we first applied. I was afraid the challenge would be too much, would they push her too much, would everyone be stiff and slapping rulers on desks...not even close!!! They allow each child to learn in the way that feels comfortable to them. If they want to do their reading while laying on the floor, so be it, if they get it done, who cares if they're standing on their head?!! She has received great grades the entire year, and I don't see her struggling, or complaining. If I did, I'd consider pulling her out. BUT, it's better to try for something you feel is out of reach. If you fail, you fail, but at least you tried!!! She's also not reciting old world poetry, or playing the cello. She isn't even a great artist. She's a "normal" kid who just learns at an accelerated pace.
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Hey congratulations!! I'd rather my child be called 'gifted' even if I didn't personally think of him/her that way then for them to be labeled....um 'not' gifted? LOL
I think it really depends on the school and their definition of 'gifted'. I have a neighbor that has three 'gifted' children. Hmmm, three? Yet when I talk to her, she said she 'had to work really hard with so and so so he could get into the gifted program" What?! If they were gifted why would you have to work with them to get in?! I'm NOT saying this is your case at all, I was just like, Ok lady, and let her think whatever she wanted.
I'd definitely bring your concerns up at dd's school and have them give you the scoop what they are basing this on - but honestly I think this is a really good thing, even if it differs from 'your' definition.
Ds is in Montessori, where all children are considered 'gifted'. I've had people say that ds is gifted and while I think that he is intelligent, I don't think he's smarter than the average bear. I just think in Montessori that he's *exposed* to things earlier than in more traditional schools they aren't exposed to yet.
Actually, I think I only know one child that I REALLY consider gifted, and he was since he was around 2. He is 8 now and truly a *genious*. However, he never had the 'traditional' childhood - not that his parents didn't want to give him one. But he was always walking around with a calculator at age 2, no joke, that kind of kid. Actually, it is rather sad for him , since he doesn't fit in with the younger kids and is way too immature for the kids with the same intelligence as him. So socially it's been hard for him.
Anyway, reading your posts from way back, the above situation does not seem like your situation at ALL! You seem like you have a very intelligent, happy outgoing child that is doing great!! And that's all that counts.