Reply to anyone hear-- there's a GT forum for MoCo

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Thank. I'll have to think a little more about the above-grade vs GT distinction, which I hadn't given much thought to, thanks for pointing it out.

IMO, if a poster's kid is really gifted, she'd feel less need to be arrogant about giftedness. The lady doth protest too much, and all that.

My worry is that our issues don't naturally inspire sympathy. So when one of our number identifies herself with GT issues and then is rude, arrogant and entitled, I cringe.[/quote]
I am not sure who you are thanking and which lady you think is arrogant. However I am glad that you are thinking through these issues. In MCPS there are several problems related to “not challenging every kid” whether the kid is just above average, gifted at 90%tile or highly gifted. This whole spectrum (I am simplifying to only three categories) of needs is only identified through the “GT” testing at 2nd grade.

Yes there is magnet school testing, but magnet school testing has no bearing on the GT identification. Anyone can apply to magnet schools GT or not, some parents with highly gifted students chose not to apply, there not enough seats in the magnet programs, and the selection process is very complicated and closed door. So there is no guarantee that “all and only” highly gifted student will get in. MCPS gives an illusion of highly giftedness of the magnet accepted students because of relatively low number of students that get accepted. In fact, most of the parents whose kids get accepted into magnet program rarely question their kids’ giftedness (I have kids in magnet schools, so I know many parents of this kind). In the end, neighborhood schools are left with a big mix of just above average, gifted at 90%tile or highly gifted students along with below average and just average students.  All these students need specific instructions for the complete 6 hours they spend in school and the schools are gradually failing in it due to NCLB and Curriculum 2.0.

If we keep discussing whether the definition of “GT” is matching the purist view, we will be in the “analysis paralysis” and miss the main point. The main issue is all kids in MCPS public schools needs to be challenged at their ability and preparedness level. There is enough justified attention for the kids who are below grade level. The kids, who are at just the grade level, will have no problem in regular class. What about rest of the kids who range from 60%tile to maybe 98%tile left in the home schools? We need to join together to advocate for policies to challenge them in public schools. Are you willing to do that? 
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