Gifted programs, lack of, in DC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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"... .

It is meant to be a city-wide, not a neighborhood school. Any gifted middle schooler can surely navigate (the free) public transportation to get there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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"... .

It is meant to be a city-wide, not a neighborhood school. Any gifted middle schooler can surely navigate (the free) public transportation to get there.

Is this the 'boys of color' school (I think I read here that later the 'of color' part was dropped)? If so, then it doesn't apply to 1/2 the population including my daughter so not really a universal solution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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"... .

It is meant to be a city-wide, not a neighborhood school. Any gifted middle schooler can surely navigate (the free) public transportation to get there.

Is this the 'boys of color' school (I think I read here that later the 'of color' part was dropped)? If so, then it doesn't apply to 1/2 the population including my daughter so not really a universal solution.

Nope. Different school. The EMOC is a high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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"... .

Truly gifted! Really? There are not enough truly gifted children in Ward 3. Having excess disposable income does not make one gifted. It just makes them accessible to the best tutors and academic programs to help them become academically on level and/or advanced.

[Anonymous]

Folks here keep talking about "truly gifted" and describing them only in Einstein terms which would only be the category for profoundly gifted.

You do realize that there is a range of gifted from mildly gifted to profoundly gifted and that not all gifted kids give the appearance of an Einstein, don't you?? In fact, even Einstein was told he was a failure as a student and his teachers never thought of him as gifted at all. In fact, they thought the opposite of Einstein!

DC has unusual demographics with a lot of high powered, educated people here and therefore, it is quite plausible that DC has a higher concentration of gifted students here.

Those who diss gifted education, hurt disadvantaged gifted students in DC too by regulating them to classes filled with students years behind them where their needs are unlikely to be met.

As for test prep and people trying to game the system to get access to gifted education, I say so what. As long as a student can maintain passing grades in gifted education classes, then the more the merrier IMHO. School districts should also offer free test prep to any student who desires it and all children should be assessed for giftedness via traditional testing and via teacher insights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Folks here keep talking about "truly gifted" and describing them only in Einstein terms which would only be the category for profoundly gifted.

You do realize that there is a range of gifted from mildly gifted to profoundly gifted and that not all gifted kids give the appearance of an Einstein, don't you?? In fact, even Einstein was told he was a failure as a student and his teachers never thought of him as gifted at all. In fact, they thought the opposite of Einstein!

DC has unusual demographics with a lot of high powered, educated people here and therefore, it is quite plausible that DC has a higher concentration of gifted students here.

Those who diss gifted education, hurt disadvantaged gifted students in DC too by regulating them to classes filled with students years behind them where their needs are unlikely to be met.

As for test prep and people trying to game the system to get access to gifted education, I say so what. As long as a student can maintain passing grades in gifted education classes, then the more the merrier IMHO. School districts should also offer free test prep to any student who desires it and all children should be assessed for giftedness via traditional testing and via teacher insights.

Yes and many of those parents can easily access ward 7 from their ward 5 and 6 homes. As for wards 2-4, they can also access them from our lovely public transportation system (free) just like ward 6 families go to ward 3 for middle. It's impossible to make every application school in the middle of the city. Even if they would it would be near Gonzaga which is still a hike for you picky WoTpers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Folks here keep talking about "truly gifted" and describing them only in Einstein terms which would only be the category for profoundly gifted.

You do realize that there is a range of gifted from mildly gifted to profoundly gifted and that not all gifted kids give the appearance of an Einstein, don't you?? In fact, even Einstein was told he was a failure as a student and his teachers never thought of him as gifted at all. In fact, they thought the opposite of Einstein!

DC has unusual demographics with a lot of high powered, educated people here and therefore, it is quite plausible that DC has a higher concentration of gifted students here.

Those who diss gifted education, hurt disadvantaged gifted students in DC too by regulating them to classes filled with students years behind them where their needs are unlikely to be met.

As for test prep and people trying to game the system to get access to gifted education, I say so what. As long as a student can maintain passing grades in gifted education classes, then the more the merrier IMHO. School districts should also offer free test prep to any student who desires it and all children should be assessed for giftedness via traditional testing and via teacher insights.

Yes and many of those parents can easily access ward 7 from their ward 5 and 6 homes. As for wards 2-4, they can also access them from our lovely public transportation system (free) just like ward 6 families go to ward 3 for middle. It's impossible to make every application school in the middle of the city. Even if they would it would be near Gonzaga which is still a hike for you picky WoTpers.

I seriousy doubt any white parents with "gifted" kids are going to send their kid on an hour commute each morning to ward 7 to a school we know is not really going to be that academic.

[Anonymous]

Being that cap hill has no middle school option, I find that quite troubling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Folks here keep talking about "truly gifted" and describing them only in Einstein terms which would only be the category for profoundly gifted.

You do realize that there is a range of gifted from mildly gifted to profoundly gifted and that not all gifted kids give the appearance of an Einstein, don't you?? In fact, even Einstein was told he was a failure as a student and his teachers never thought of him as gifted at all. In fact, they thought the opposite of Einstein!

DC has unusual demographics with a lot of high powered, educated people here and therefore, it is quite plausible that DC has a higher concentration of gifted students here.

Those who diss gifted education, hurt disadvantaged gifted students in DC too by regulating them to classes filled with students years behind them where their needs are unlikely to be met.

As for test prep and people trying to game the system to get access to gifted education, I say so what. As long as a student can maintain passing grades in gifted education classes, then the more the merrier IMHO. School districts should also offer free test prep to any student who desires it and all children should be assessed for giftedness via traditional testing and via teacher insights.

Yes and many of those parents can easily access ward 7 from their ward 5 and 6 homes. As for wards 2-4, they can also access them from our lovely public transportation system (free) just like ward 6 families go to ward 3 for middle. It's impossible to make every application school in the middle of the city. Even if they would it would be near Gonzaga which is still a hike for you picky WoTpers.

I seriousy doubt any white parents with "gifted" kids are going to send their kid on an hour commute each morning to ward 7 to a school we know is not really going to be that academic.

Then they are hypocrites. They've been asking for this for years - and are going to let commute get in the way?

[Anonymous]

Why wouldnt a school in ward seven be academic? I'd send my white kid there for a gifted program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Folks here keep talking about "truly gifted" and describing them only in Einstein terms which would only be the category for profoundly gifted.

You do realize that there is a range of gifted from mildly gifted to profoundly gifted and that not all gifted kids give the appearance of an Einstein, don't you?? In fact, even Einstein was told he was a failure as a student and his teachers never thought of him as gifted at all. In fact, they thought the opposite of Einstein!

DC has unusual demographics with a lot of high powered, educated people here and therefore, it is quite plausible that DC has a higher concentration of gifted students here.

Those who diss gifted education, hurt disadvantaged gifted students in DC too by regulating them to classes filled with students years behind them where their needs are unlikely to be met.

As for test prep and people trying to game the system to get access to gifted education, I say so what. As long as a student can maintain passing grades in gifted education classes, then the more the merrier IMHO. School districts should also offer free test prep to any student who desires it and all children should be assessed for giftedness via traditional testing and via teacher insights.

Why not just take the top 2% of NNAT and CoGAT scores, no appeals?

[Anonymous]

No one who says "ax" for "ask" can be gifted!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why wouldnt a school in ward seven be academic? I'd send my white kid there for a gifted program.

Why don't they just open a "gifted" charter school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why wouldnt a school in ward seven be academic? I'd send my white kid there for a gifted program.

Why don't they just open a "gifted" charter school?

Because the federal law authorizing charters in DC prohibits any sort of barriers to entry. Must be open to any DC resident, or if more applicants than seats, allocating seats via lottery.

DC can do test in, and does at the high school level (and perhaps in the future at MS). Charters are prohibited from doing the same (unless Congress amends the law, which is unlikely).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Folks here keep talking about "truly gifted" and describing them only in Einstein terms which would only be the category for profoundly gifted.

You do realize that there is a range of gifted from mildly gifted to profoundly gifted and that not all gifted kids give the appearance of an Einstein, don't you?? In fact, even Einstein was told he was a failure as a student and his teachers never thought of him as gifted at all. In fact, they thought the opposite of Einstein!

DC has unusual demographics with a lot of high powered, educated people here and therefore, it is quite plausible that DC has a higher concentration of gifted students here.

Those who diss gifted education, hurt disadvantaged gifted students in DC too by regulating them to classes filled with students years behind them where their needs are unlikely to be met.

As for test prep and people trying to game the system to get access to gifted education, I say so what. As long as a student can maintain passing grades in gifted education classes, then the more the merrier IMHO. School districts should also offer free test prep to any student who desires it and all children should be assessed for giftedness via traditional testing and via teacher insights.

Why not just take the top 2% of NNAT and CoGAT scores, no appeals?

+1. NYC basically takes the top 3% of the entrance tests for their magnet programs - some starting in K - with strict cutoff, no appeals. But there has always been controversy because the population skews majority Asian at schools like Stuy.

Same thing will happen in DC except here it will skew majority white - which is untenable, politically.