Influence to make your home school more challenging!! Attend GT forum on March 22 at Magruder HS!!

[Anonymous]

I do believe that 2.0 means bad things for GT kids. My DD is ahead of the 2.0 wave, and I'm thankful for that. I like the think deeper and critically ideas of 2.0, and that would be good for GT kids who need challenge. But I know for some that challenge will not be enough.

And keeping things homogenous is going to work. Now, the kids (3rd grade) are grouped into accellerated and regular math. Even so, DD is tired of being the one to help her seatmates understand their work. She's tired of material she's already mastered. And the teachers just can't teach to as many levels as are in a class at once. I don't know how many times she's been allowed to sit on the rug and play math games because she's already gotten it and the teacher needs to take more time with the ones who struggle. What to do? Those who struggle should be given a chance and the help they need. Heck, they're not the oddballs, DD is (there are 1/4 of the class, who is asked to wait from time to time. With each unit, one kid will get it, then 3, then 5, then the rest catch up. The teacher admits she can't give them all new material every day - they won't pass the test if they do that.

Homogenous grouping doesn't work.

[Anonymous]

I'm going, if only to hear what Starr's plans are for the future of GT education in the county. I dont' expect to like what I hear, but I want to know what we're in for. And if he sees enough people that genuinely care, it might help his decisionmaking process. But I don't have great hope for that. My impression of the administration is one that looks at research, thinks it's right, and plows ahead and does what it wants.

I wish I could tell him what raising a GT child is really like. And I know mine isn't going to college early or anything like that. But all the things that come with the label are exhausting. It's not just a smart kid. But people don't understand that, and everyone wants a gifted kid. The perfectionism, anxiety, sensitivity, meltdowns, lack of friends - trust me, you don't really want this.

[Anonymous]

In his former post in Stamford CT, Starr basically got rid of gifted education. I belive it was turned into an after school activity that met once a month and only in certain grades. I am not thinking we are going to see any drastic changes here. My prediction is the CT centers disappear supposedly replaced by opportunities at every school which will be watered down enough to include virutally everyone. My MS cuurently puports to offer the accelerated curruclum to all students..which really means that everyone get the same average level classes. Ignoring the struggling and the gifted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My understanding for curriculum 2.0 is "no above grade level acceleration in math". At least that's the way our school implements it.

While many people in school adminstration will like you to beleive it, curriculum 2.0 does not preclude above grade level acceleration. It is possible that the school principal choses to implement it that way, to make her/his life easier. The problem with Curriculum 2.0 is, criteria/testing to move ahead for stduents above grade level is not defined. As a result, the assessment for acceleration falls under the discretion of school Principal/teachers and the environment may not be favorable to GT students.

So, there is more reason to attend the GT forum and demand for acceleration to be implemented in every school. Let us not feel secure with the assurance from Carver (that cusrriculum 2.0 does not preclude acceleration) to be dissapointed by school adminstration. Let us advocate for policy implemetation, together!

[Anonymous]

This is what was on the gifted and talented Association of Montgomery County website:

http://www.gtamc.org/2012-gt-forum

MCPS Superintendent Dr. Joshua Starr is holding a Community Forum on Gifted and Talented Education on Thursday, March 22, 2012 starting at 7 pm, at Magruder High School (link to map).
This is an important opportunity to show Dr. Starr and MCPS the interest and concerns of parents about gifted and talented education in MCPS.

With so many GT parents and students, with so many questions and comments, there will not be time for everyone to be heard.

But it’s important that Dr. Starr and staff members from AEI, hear all of our questions and comments, appreciate the strength of our interest, and address the issues that most concern us.

Submit your questions and concerns in advance—by Monday, March 19, 7:00 a.m.—below.

GTA will submit to Dr. Starr by Wednesday, March 21, all questions and comments posted to our website.

Nothing is more important to the future of GT education in Montgomery County than parent, educator and community interest, demonstration of an active constituency, and turnout in large numbers.

Show up. Wear green for Gifted.

[Anonymous]

I do not have energy for all this political movements. I think we all would be better off advocating for our own DC. than bothering with MCPS's polcy changes etc. MCPS is changing for worse, parents have no say in it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do not have energy for all this political movements. I think we all would be better off advocating for our own DC. than bothering with MCPS's polcy changes etc. MCPS is changing for worse, parents have no say in it.

In that case you will get what you deserve; if you win the "lottery" you would reap the riches, otherwise live a pauper rest of your life!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do not have energy for all this political movements. I think we all would be better off advocating for our own DC. than bothering with MCPS's polcy changes etc. MCPS is changing for worse, parents have no say in it.

You don't get the schools your deserve. You get the schools you demand.