S/o on MCPS gifted programs and deadlines: form about rescreening?

[Anonymous]

My daughter is a 3rd grader in MCPS. We didn't apply for the HGC program, or even consider it at all, mostly because we assumed our child wouldn't qualify. She is advanced in reading and has other very intense interests and skills, but is average (and struggling) in math. But we received a letter from the school last week stating that she has been selected for rescreening for gifted programs, or something to that effect.

My husband laughed and said it's probably just a form that everyone receives, simply because we live in Bethesda and everyone here is convinced their children are gifted. I'm guessing he's probably right that this was just a pro forma thing, and I was a little too embarassed to ask the school, although I completed the form and submitted it. But I'm still curious, so I'm asking here, and I'm prepared to be flamed as a clueless parent with false delusions of grandeur.

Don't worry, I'm not getting all DCUMish and insisting that my child is the greatest genius since Einstein (she's nothing of the sort! but she is pretty nifty in her own way.)

[Anonymous]

Our (non-Bethesda) ES sent home rescreening notices for all kids in third grade and above who had not previously been given the advanced designation based on testing and/or other factors. They asked for permission to rescreen these kids to identify any who should be receiving advanced instruction.

[Anonymous]

PP here - so yes, likely just pro forma.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is a 3rd grader in MCPS. We didn't apply for the HGC program, or even consider it at all, mostly because we assumed our child wouldn't qualify. She is advanced in reading and has other very intense interests and skills, but is average (and struggling) in math. But we received a letter from the school last week stating that she has been selected for rescreening for gifted programs, or something to that effect.

My husband laughed and said it's probably just a form that everyone receives, simply because we live in Bethesda and everyone here is convinced their children are gifted. I'm guessing he's probably right that this was just a pro forma thing, and I was a little too embarassed to ask the school, although I completed the form and submitted it. But I'm still curious, so I'm asking here, and I'm prepared to be flamed as a clueless parent with false delusions of grandeur.

Don't worry, I'm not getting all DCUMish and insisting that my child is the greatest genius since Einstein (she's nothing of the sort! but she is pretty nifty in her own way.)

I think you should write an email to her teacher and tell her that you are confused about the information contained in /meaning of the letter you received. That seems like a normal response and one any reasonable teacher/school would expect. I also encourage you to allow her to be rescreened - it is information that might help you understand more about your child and her educational needs. If she is eligible for gifted programs, follow up and ask what those look like at your school. The idea behind screening is to identify students who can benefit from differentiated instruction. If she is considered "gifted" (however broadly they define this in Bethesda!) it SHOULD have consequences - it should determine the kind of curriculum and peer group she has. There is no need to be embarrassed - the school initiated this and you are just following up. If the testing reveals new/important information about your child, again you have to follow up.

[Anonymous]

IIRC there is "gifted screening" separate from the HGC process. I think te idea is to give the teacher an idea of what level the kid can work at.

[Anonymous]

Yes..the same thing happened to my child. It means your child had a border line score in 2nd grade so they will retest. In 3rd grade my child tested as gifted. This designation, however, means very little. 40% of MCPS kids get that designation. The HGC take only the top 3% on kids. MCPS is required by the state to test for giftedness but is not required to act on it.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the reality check and the lack of snark!