Reply to The real "GT" issue in MCPS

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[quote=Anonymous]Unfortunately, the discussions on this board have degenerated a bit into "what is the definition of GT" and "what kind of wackos are posting on diferent forums."  This is distracting us from the real, important issue that will be discussed at Thursday night's meeting.

While we bicker, MCPS is methodically implementing an approach (an ideology, really) which says that it's better for kids to be grouped all together in one class rather than be placed in classes at their level.   This means that they are eliminating any classes deemed "GT" and taking away the chance for kids to be grouped with others at their level.  This is happening now.

It may not be such a big deal in Western parts of the county, but here in East county, this means that a sixth grade classroom of 25 children may have kids who read at a second grade level all the way to a 12th grade level.  Many of us believe that this is an impracticable idea that serves no one well, and that the highly able learners will get the short end of the stick, with less challenging material, more independent work without input and guidance from a teacher, fewer peers, etc.  I will point out that this isn't a race/class issue -- there are highly able learners from all backgrounds who need access to challenge, peer groups, etc.  Just look at the current makeup of the Eastern magnet to see that this is not a homogenous group of kids.

MCPS' own guidelines say that this in-classroom differentiation will work if there are three groups of about 8 kids in a class.  If you live in East county, you know this isn't realistic.  What's going to happen to the highly able learners in an east county school?  Well, many of them won't be challenged, will be bored, won't live up to their potential, etc.  Even worse for East county, many parents will throw up their hands and move or send their kids to private school, thereby depriving the schools of academic diversity, engaged, parents, etc.  This will drive down property values and polarize the county, and it will deprive the more needy learners of the peers that this "diversified classroom" is supposed to give them.  It is a BAD IDEA, driven by educational ideologues, not by parents with a stake in the process.

Let's not worry too much now about who is GT and is it 90th or 95th percentile.  Right now, this is an ideological fight.  If you believe that eliminating homogenous grouping by class in favor of in-class differentiation will result in teaching to the middle and abandonment of those kids who need extra challenge, you need to speak up now to the superintendent.

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