Gifted programs, lack of, in DC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, so why do our Metro area suburban school districts bother with GT programming from around 3rd grade on up, including test-in all GT 4th and 5th grade schools in MoCo? GT programs exist for, what, political reasons to woo affluent voters to school districts? I'm far from convinced that the brightest and most disciplined upper elementary grades kids have their needs met via the differentiation you describe, particularly when the achievement gap spans three or more grade levels within a single classroom.

Most (all?) of the programs you mention in outside counties began decades ago and would be unlikely to have existed if they had to do so today.

True.

And you can choose not to be convinced that it works, but I have kids who are among the brightest and most disciplined in their grades, in classes with a wide range of skill levels (including behind grade level), and it's working for them.

+2

Can't imagine this model working beyond elementary school at most. Aren't we talking about a test-in middle school?

I don't have kids there yet, but from what I hear Deal is handling advanced kids well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a highly educated AA family, and I was in G&T programs myself growing up. I would love it if a G&T program were available in DC--although not because I think it's a given that my kid will get in when it's time. I simply want her to be surrounded by an academically strong, hard-working peer group in the later grades. If the lure of G&T will convince more high SES parents to remain in the DCPS system, then hey, whatever it takes. Otherwise, if we're still in the area and feel Deal/Wilson won't offer a strong enough peer group, we'll explore private options.

Yes well DCPS has heard all of the pleas and are scheduled to open a MS G&T school. I bet none of you will send your cherubs there even if they did make the cut. Why, because it is to be located in hillcrest and we know you good people are not sending your kids across the river. Sheesh.

PP you're quoting here. Link please? I haven't heard a word any G&T schools opening. Way out of the way for our family (upper NW near MD border), but still, curious if this is indeed happening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, so why do our Metro area suburban school districts bother with GT programming from around 3rd grade on up, including test-in all GT 4th and 5th grade schools in MoCo? GT programs exist for, what, political reasons to woo affluent voters to school districts? I'm far from convinced that the brightest and most disciplined upper elementary grades kids have their needs met via the differentiation you describe, particularly when the achievement gap spans three or more grade levels within a single classroom.

Most (all?) of the programs you mention in outside counties began decades ago and would be unlikely to have existed if they had to do so today.

True.

And you can choose not to be convinced that it works, but I have kids who are among the brightest and most disciplined in their grades, in classes with a wide range of skill levels (including behind grade level), and it's working for them.

+2

Can't imagine this model working beyond elementary school at most. Aren't we talking about a test-in middle school?

I don't have kids there yet, but from what I hear Deal is handling advanced kids well.

Sort of. Deal tosses kids who struggle to read into the same English and social studies classes as kids capable of college level work. They are willing to track for 7th and 8th grade math and Spanish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, so why do our Metro area suburban school districts bother with GT programming from around 3rd grade on up, including test-in all GT 4th and 5th grade schools in MoCo? GT programs exist for, what, political reasons to woo affluent voters to school districts? I'm far from convinced that the brightest and most disciplined upper elementary grades kids have their needs met via the differentiation you describe, particularly when the achievement gap spans three or more grade levels within a single classroom.

Most (all?) of the programs you mention in outside counties began decades ago and would be unlikely to have existed if they had to do so today.

True.

And you can choose not to be convinced that it works, but I have kids who are among the brightest and most disciplined in their grades, in classes with a wide range of skill levels (including behind grade level), and it's working for them.

+2

Can't imagine this model working beyond elementary school at most. Aren't we talking about a test-in middle school?

I don't have kids there yet, but from what I hear Deal is handling advanced kids well.

Sort of. Deal tosses kids who struggle to read into the same English and social studies classes as kids capable of college level work. They are willing to track for 7th and 8th grade math and Spanish.

What is science like at Deal?

[Anonymous]

Is there no honors English at Deal? Can parents change that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there no honors English at Deal? Can parents change that?

There is no honors anything at Deal. School has adopted the IB MYP curriculum which doesn't allow differentiation in that way without putting the IB certification at risk.

[Anonymous]

Why would IB be against class differentiation when entire magnet schools are built around the concept? Does anyone know if that is a real issue at Deal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would IB be against class differentiation when entire magnet schools are built around the concept? Does anyone know if that is a real issue at Deal?

It's a totally different model. Deal administrators have said in the past that there is enough flexibility (aka differentiation) in the IB MYP curriculum already that there isn't a need separate honors and regular students for English, history and science. As someone said up thread the students are in different level spanish and math classes.

Under IB it's at the high school level that students are separated to some degree and go on either the IB Diploma or IB career track program.

Hardy, on the other hand, does offer honors classes -- as it's a more traditional, American curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think "gifted" must be a terribly damaging term to label a child based on recent research about what creates kids who will take on challenges and stick with hard problems rather than give up?

I would love it if DC had differentiation for kids who are willing to pay attention and work hard.

In fact it does. That is the whole point of in-class differentiation. (And the SEM enrichment model as well). Every child is given the opportunity to work to their "reach" level. For example, a science project will be rather open ended. There are the basics each project must include, but a child can choose their own topic, they find their own resources (with guidance if needed), they choose the difficulty of the final project to show mastery, etc. One kid may choose bear hibernation and use DK books, while another chooses the electroconductivity of bacteria and reads primary research papers (this is not far off from a real ES example). Or an essay is assigned to compare two texts -- the teacher guides the student to choose the texts based on reading level, and while one child may write a three paragraph essay, another may write 10 pages, and yet another may create a video presentation or movie. The teacher takes each child where they are and pushes them to the next level. Mixed with that are also uniform assignments that every child does, but again, each child is guided to work on their areas of difficulty and to push their limits in the areas they find easy.

No labels needed. At our ES and MS, I see this working very well, and the model is far superior to what we had in GaTE when we were growing up.

What is your ES and MS? Please name them.

+1. What are the names of these schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would IB be against class differentiation when entire magnet schools are built around the concept? Does anyone know if that is a real issue at Deal?

It's a totally different model. Deal administrators have said in the past that there is enough flexibility (aka differentiation) in the IB MYP curriculum already that there isn't a need separate honors and regular students for English, history and science. As someone said up thread the students are in different level spanish and math classes.

Under IB it's at the high school level that students are separated to some degree and go on either the IB Diploma or IB career track program.

Hardy, on the other hand, does offer honors classes -- as it's a more traditional, American curriculum.

Have parents tried to get tracking or honors English at Deal before and the principal refused?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would IB be against class differentiation when entire magnet schools are built around the concept? Does anyone know if that is a real issue at Deal?

It's a totally different model. Deal administrators have said in the past that there is enough flexibility (aka differentiation) in the IB MYP curriculum already that there isn't a need separate honors and regular students for English, history and science. As someone said up thread the students are in different level spanish and math classes.

Under IB it's at the high school level that students are separated to some degree and go on either the IB Diploma or IB career track program.

Hardy, on the other hand, does offer honors classes -- as it's a more traditional, American curriculum.

Have parents tried to get tracking or honors English at Deal before and the principal refused?

Deal just places most of the Special Education students in different tracks, not legit and not differentiation. IB is for all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would IB be against class differentiation when entire magnet schools are built around the concept? Does anyone know if that is a real issue at Deal?

It's a totally different model. Deal administrators have said in the past that there is enough flexibility (aka differentiation) in the IB MYP curriculum already that there isn't a need separate honors and regular students for English, history and science. As someone said up thread the students are in different level spanish and math classes.

Under IB it's at the high school level that students are separated to some degree and go on either the IB Diploma or IB career track program.

Hardy, on the other hand, does offer honors classes -- as it's a more traditional, American curriculum.

Have parents tried to get tracking or honors English at Deal before and the principal refused?

Tracking English might disrespect the pride and self-esteem of other students in the District of Columbia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a highly educated AA family, and I was in G&T programs myself growing up. I would love it if a G&T program were available in DC--although not because I think it's a given that my kid will get in when it's time. I simply want her to be surrounded by an academically strong, hard-working peer group in the later grades. If the lure of G&T will convince more high SES parents to remain in the DCPS system, then hey, whatever it takes. Otherwise, if we're still in the area and feel Deal/Wilson won't offer a strong enough peer group, we'll explore private options.

Yes well DCPS has heard all of the pleas and are scheduled to open a MS G&T school. I bet none of you will send your cherubs there even if they did make the cut. Why, because it is to be located in hillcrest and we know you good people are not sending your kids across the river. Sheesh.

PP you're quoting here. Link please? I haven't heard a word any G&T schools opening. Way out of the way for our family (upper NW near MD border), but still, curious if this is indeed happening.

NP. I don't see link but there are indeed plans to open an application middle school (I think 2017) in ward 7, near Hillcrest I believe.

[Anonymous]

Why do people keep mentioning the programs in Fairfax and Moco when DC demographics resemble neither? Why not look at PG? The place you all live to call "Ward 9". I know they have "tag centers" as well as pullout programs at local schools. glenarden woods (70 percent blk) & Heather Hills (65 percent blk) Are probably the two true TAG programs while schools like Capitol Heights , Accokeek Academy , etc are probably more like honor/advance centers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a highly educated AA family, and I was in G&T programs myself growing up. I would love it if a G&T program were available in DC--although not because I think it's a given that my kid will get in when it's time. I simply want her to be surrounded by an academically strong, hard-working peer group in the later grades. If the lure of G&T will convince more high SES parents to remain in the DCPS system, then hey, whatever it takes. Otherwise, if we're still in the area and feel Deal/Wilson won't offer a strong enough peer group, we'll explore private options.

Yes well DCPS has heard all of the pleas and are scheduled to open a MS G&T school. I bet none of you will send your cherubs there even if they did make the cut. Why, because it is to be located in hillcrest and we know you good people are not sending your kids across the river. Sheesh.

PP you're quoting here. Link please? I haven't heard a word any G&T schools opening. Way out of the way for our family (upper NW near MD border), but still, curious if this is indeed happening.

NP. I don't see link but there are indeed plans to open an application middle school (I think 2017) in ward 7, near Hillcrest I believe.

That's a bad location. There aren't enough truly gifted kids in that area. We know high poverty east of the river correlates to struggling academicS. Once again another DCPS move that is totally racially motivated and meant to once again tell high SES families "move to the burbs"... .