Reply to Prep classes for HGC and MS magnet tests

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Stop pushing these kids!!  They are either gifted or not, stop forcing them to overstudy, tutor, extra work to try and compete with gifted kids.  Love your child for who they are not.  Pressuring kids at age 8/9?  Test prep.  Insanity.

If your kids need test prep, they do NOT belong in HCG and Magnet. [/quote]

Actually they do.  Kids who prep (classes, enrichments, doing worksheets etc)  get into HGC, magnet ms and hs and then Ivy League colleges.  It is a matter of how much you want to succeed and how hard you are willing to work.  If a kid can work hard and get into any institution - he deserves to be there.  If an athlete works hard and wins at the Olympics, they deserve their medal.

However, if you think that your kid should not prep, that is your prerogative.  For the rest of the parents and students who think that they are ready for the challenge these magnet programs offer, just ignore these people.   They deliberately give wrong advice,  bad mouth the programs and try and mislead people.

Replace "Gifted" by "Hard working and Dedicated" and it becomes easier to understand what the majority of high achievers do to become high achievers.  No God is coming down from heavens to bestow the "GIFT" of superior knowledge to your child contrary to what you would like to believe about your snowflake.

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[b]What is "prepping"?[/b]  Doing some worksheets at home once in a while?  Or something more, like having a tutor or going to tutoring classes?  Or all?

I think "prepping" (tutors, programs, etc..) for older kids (MS/HS) is fine.  But, I think it makes some or a lot of parents uncomfortable when you talk about prepping a 7/8 yr olds.  They are so young, and "prepping" them seems like adding so much stress in their lives at such a young age.  It's only ES.  And even if the kid was prepped to get in, if that kid is not really HGC material, then what happens once the kid is in HGC?  Will that kid struggle a lot more in class because there is no parent or tutor in class to help that kid?  Sure, the parent can help with HW, but not with classwork.   I think the teacher will see through that.

But, I agree, that working hard is more important than being "gifted" or smart in terms of succeeding in life.  Being in HGC is not a guarantee that they will succeed in life.

I dislike the term "Highly Gifted Center".  Most of these kids are not really "gifted", just really "bright" and probably work hard.  I would prefer if they changed the name to "magnet" or something.

My DC is in HGC and the only "prepping" DC has ever done is a couple of workbooks at home once in a while, nothing regimented.  But, we have enforced the "do your best" ethos. [/quote]

I think anything you do to enrich your child's knowledge or to prepare them for academics is "prepping".   Taking your kids to museum, sitting with them when they do homework, doing worksheets, everything is prepping.     Most of these things a parent can do for their kids without outside coaching and tutoring.  Coaching and tutoring however is an option (though it is commercial) - if something more specialized is needed, or you do not have the time or your child does better in more formal setting of a class  or if you are not a very good teacher yourself.

I will disagree that some kids may not be able to handle the rigor of HGC because they prepped to get in.  In fact, if your child needs your help in understanding content, time management, task management, how to take notes, how to communicate, how to study effectively etc, he will be better served in life if this help is provided to him when he is younger and in lower grades.  You do not want your kid not to have these skills (and these are study skills - something that can be learned) when they reach college.  The stakes are much lower in HGC and workload not that demanding that a child cannot handle this.  And if they need help - better in HGC than in HS or college.
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