If your a Prince William County parent with a child in the Gifted program, when did you find out?

[Anonymous]

My Kindergarten daughter was just tested for the START program at her school. I know that at the end of this month there is a county-wide committee that meets to make the decision as to who gets placed into START and SIGNET. I'm just wondering how long I will have to wait to get the results. If you've been through this process do you remember when you found out the results.

[Anonymous]

I just got a letter that my child has been referred for the Signet program, the letter said that we would be notified on or before June 10, 2011 about acceptance.

[Anonymous]

While we asl can identify the gifted and talented parts if our children, and ALL children have them, please doesn't allow your parental pride to override sound developmental psychology. When a child is 8 or 9 years old, they wil exhibit those indicators for special needs, both gifted as well as learning disabled. Without savant-like behavior, placements for children before that developmental stage is irresponsible. Learning rates level of and true identification can be made around the third grade. Plenty of time for your child to establish positive learning habits. The risk of identifying too early could prove most detrimental to your child. Imagine how they may feel if they are identified in kindergarten, and in three years, they don't meet the standards. Devastating. As parents, you are the best educator, and you should encourage and promote a higher order of thinking within your child. Cognitively, they wil only be able to do what their developmental level will allow. Doesn't rush this. Be proactive, do y your research, help your child develop at the level they can. Doesn't put your parental pride before the well-being of your child. A child who may take more time to learn in 1st grade, and has a parent versed in developmental psychology, could very well develop gifted aptitude...then, you can be truly proud! Proactve, educate, provide thinking opportunities, and you are parenting your child for success.