Reply to WAPO article about sever FFX school budget cuts

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Yes, my article at Rochester SAGE is an op-ed, but the statement cited is supported by Susan Winebrenner's cluster grouping research which finds that removing the gifted students from a class allows the mid-high students to become more proficient and increase their academic self-esteem.  [/quote]

Would you expect any difference in effect depending on whether gifted students are "pulled out" once a week, put in a separate class within the same school, or removed from the original school completely and placed in a dedicated center? Much of the issue in FCPS seems to be that general education (GE) kids see Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) kids in the same school and feel constantly that they -- the GE kids -- are "less than." [/quote]

The cluster grouping that Susan Winebrenner suggests is changing how classes in a grade are grouped.  Typically, a classroom has five levels (High/Gifted, Mid-High, Mid, Mid-Low, and Low) in it.  Cluster grouping would sort the students so that no more than three levels are in a classroom.  The High and Low students are the most difficult to differentiate for, so a teacher would not have both groups in one classroom.  Additionally, High and Mid-High would not be in the same classroom because this allows the Mid-High to gain confidence being the top of the class.  The reduced number of levels means that a teacher can spend more time instructing each level.

This is not a pull-out program or a full day gifted program.  It is not in a separate school and the classroom is probably only about 20% gifted students.  However, it can be very effective for all students, including gifted, if implemented correctly.

Implementation is always the key to any technique though.  The classroom with the High/Gifted students needs to be with a teacher who will provide material at their levels.  In some schools, it may be difficult to find a teacher for a grade willing to do so or who believe that gifted students need work at their level.

I am not a fan of pull-out programs at all.  Too often it results in extra work as the g/t students are expected to do the classroom work they missed.  It also doesn't address the issue of a student who is gifted 24/7, but is used to placate parents and students.

I have seen separate classrooms within a school be quite effective.  However, the culture of the school was that each student was at his or her level in each subject and so it was very common for students to walk down the hall to the next grade for a subject.  The emphasis was on meeting each child where they needed to be met at and not who was better than whom.

I have also seen separate schools be extremely effective.  The entire atmosphere of the school is different because the factory model no longer works and they are used to students who are far ahead in one or more areas.  It all becomes about growth, not proficiency.  There really is an amazing feel to it.

What you are describing is a cultural issue that starts with the administration and teachers.  We are all equals.  We all have strengths and weaknesses.  I am not "less than" a varsity athlete because I have the athletic skills of a cucumber.  I am not "more than" another student because my academic skills are better.  Change the mindset to effort and growth instead of abilities and proficiency.  Salute the students who work hard, but make sure that every student does have the chance to work hard to achieve their goals.[/quote]

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