Reply to Why obsess over getting into gifted program?

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Reply to "Why obsess over getting into gifted program?"

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[quote=Anonymous]Here is an analogy that might put it into perspective.

I have a friend whose child is exceptionally gifted in sports, from a very young age.  On every team, the leagues would end up making rules for him only, that restricted him from playing even remotely near his full potential.

Rules such as he was not allowed to raise his arms higher than his shoulders (basketball), couldn't hit the ball into the outfield after a certain number of triples/homers per game (baseball), could only play the minimum amount of time required by the league (he got the least amount of field time on the team).  he was used as a coaches helper all the time, rather than being coached himself.  His ability level was that much higher than everyone else.  This was from a very young age (early elementary) and the differences in ability were exceptional.  Playing became a drag to him and he would goof off, cause trouble, etc.  The parents tried to get him fair opportunities, the same rules and equal playing time within the regular recreational league.  But when that didn't work, they had to search for a select team for him.  At the select level, he was still one of the best, but he had teammates at or near his ability level and he was able to grow, be challenged, and learn to love sports.

This is no different.  Many of us have kids who are the academic version of my friend's little athlete.  We just want our kids to have the opportunity to be challenged and learn in the way that the majority of kids are able to in a regular classroom.  We don't want them to be used as tutors and teachers aides on a daily basis, to be tucked in a corner doing independent work every day, to feel they must hide or play down their strengths because they are so different from everyone else.

When my child started AAP, I asked him what he thought about the class.  His response was he loved it because he was a regular kid doing the same stuff as everyone else in the class.  He had never had clssmates at his level.  He spent grades doing work on his own or with one other kids, or tutoring others instead of learning himself.  He had spent the previous school year asking his teacher to sneak him his different classwork because he was starting to feel self conscious about being different.  I am sure if we stayed on that path he would have started to hide his gifts, and eventually become embarrassed by the difference.

With AAP, he is one of dozens.  Nothing different, nothing special. And he loves being in a place where he is not a freak or a novelty, just one of the kids.[/quote]

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