Do unmotivated kids get into HGC?

[Anonymous]

My 3rd grader gets 99th percentile across the board in MAP tests and whatever test was used to determine gifted status in 2nd grade. However, he doesn't like school and isn't motivated to do the work, so what he turns in to his teacher is mediocre. Do kids like that have a shot at getting into an HGC? We've tried to motivate him but have had no luck.

[Anonymous]

In the past, yes. Every year there have been kids like your son that they try to motivate by putting in the HGCs. One of the questions they tried to answer was are the child's needs being met at the home school? No one knows what will happen this year with the process changing.

[Anonymous]

What would his teacher recs say?
What would he say at the interview?

Honestly, he's a great candidate for a ton of private schools. Could really inspire him and be a positive change of environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What would his teacher recs say?
What would he say at the interview?

Honestly, he's a great candidate for a ton of private schools. Could really inspire him and be a positive change of environment.

what interview?

[Anonymous]

I think unmovitated kids should stay out of hgc. My DC went, and when they had to work in groups, which was a lot, DC hated working with the unmotivated kids. Why accept an unmotivated child when there are so many who are motivated?

Also, admittance is not based purely on test scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What would his teacher recs say?
What would he say at the interview?

Honestly, he's a great candidate for a ton of private schools. Could really inspire him and be a positive change of environment.

There aren't any more teacher recommendations, and there was never an interview.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think unmovitated kids should stay out of hgc. My DC went, and when they had to work in groups, which was a lot, DC hated working with the unmotivated kids. Why accept an unmotivated child when there are so many who are motivated?

Also, admittance is not based purely on test scores.

Sometimes kids get motivated when they're doing challenging work with other motivated kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think unmovitated kids should stay out of hgc. My DC went, and when they had to work in groups, which was a lot, DC hated working with the unmotivated kids. Why accept an unmotivated child when there are so many who are motivated?

Also, admittance is not based purely on test scores.

Sometimes kids get motivated when they're doing challenging work with other motivated kids.

There are very limited spots. Give it to a child who shows they are motivated already.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think unmovitated kids should stay out of hgc. My DC went, and when they had to work in groups, which was a lot, DC hated working with the unmotivated kids. Why accept an unmotivated child when there are so many who are motivated?

Also, admittance is not based purely on test scores.

Sometimes kids get motivated when they're doing challenging work with other motivated kids.

There are very limited spots. Give it to a child who shows they are motivated already.

Alternatively, a child who is unmotivated due to a lack of challenging work/challenging peers would benefit more from the enriched studies than a child who is already motivated in the home school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think unmovitated kids should stay out of hgc. My DC went, and when they had to work in groups, which was a lot, DC hated working with the unmotivated kids. Why accept an unmotivated child when there are so many who are motivated?

Also, admittance is not based purely on test scores.

Sometimes kids get motivated when they're doing challenging work with other motivated kids.

There are very limited spots. Give it to a child who shows they are motivated already.

Alternatively, a child who is unmotivated due to a lack of challenging work/challenging peers would benefit more from the enriched studies than a child who is already motivated in the home school.

What's the guarantee that such a child would miraculously become motivated at HGC? None, hence let's go with kids who are already motivated since the child who is already motivated shows not only a gifted aptitude but a willingness to learn. Like I said, there are very limited spots. IMO it's a waste to give that spot to a kid who is unmotivated with zero guarantees that it will help.

[Anonymous]

I'll be damned if some unmotivated, ratty snot gets a spot when there are other kids who would love to go. OP, keep your kid at your home school and leave the magnets for motivated students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think unmovitated kids should stay out of hgc. My DC went, and when they had to work in groups, which was a lot, DC hated working with the unmotivated kids. Why accept an unmotivated child when there are so many who are motivated?

Also, admittance is not based purely on test scores.

Sometimes kids get motivated when they're doing challenging work with other motivated kids.

There are very limited spots. Give it to a child who shows they are motivated already.

Alternatively, a child who is unmotivated due to a lack of challenging work/challenging peers would benefit more from the enriched studies than a child who is already motivated in the home school.

What's the guarantee that such a child would miraculously become motivated at HGC? None, hence let's go with kids who are already motivated since the child who is already motivated shows not only a gifted aptitude but a willingness to learn. Like I said, there are very limited spots. IMO it's a waste to give that spot to a kid who is unmotivated with zero guarantees that it will help.

NP

I agree completely! There are PLENTY of motivated kids who deserve to be in the HGC but who do not get in.

DS has been in the HGC since last year, and I completely agree with the PP. There are TONS of group projects, and collaborative activities in the HGC. When there's an unmotivated kid in the group, it makes it infinitely harder. There were two kids like this last year, and everyone disliked having to work with them.

There were several kids from our home school who got waitlisted, but where were bright AND motivated. They definitely deserved to be in the HGC more than the unmotivated kids.

I would hope that's what the teacher recommendations are for? So they can comment on who might actually be motivated to do the work required in the HGC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What would his teacher recs say?
What would he say at the interview?

Honestly, he's a great candidate for a ton of private schools. Could really inspire him and be a positive change of environment.

There is no interview for MCPS. What school district are you in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What would his teacher recs say?
What would he say at the interview?

Honestly, he's a great candidate for a ton of private schools. Could really inspire him and be a positive change of environment.

There aren't any more teacher recommendations, and there was never an interview.

Really? Are there no teacher recommendations this year in the application process?

My kid is a 4th grader in the HGC and there were teacher recommendations last year when she applied.

[Anonymous]

Is he stronger at math or language arts? The HGC program favors kids who are strong in LA