Reply to Another reason why labeling students as being gifted is counterproductive

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I don't think that most schools are using IQ tests to decide who gets to take AP classes. In my district, AP is said to be for the top 25% of students, while GT serves around 10%.  They also use standardized test results (achievement tests) to help decide which class a student should take, not "ability" or gifted testing.

The argument against ability grouping is that it's hard to move up once a student is placed in a "low" track, and minority or poor students are over represented in the low tracks.[/quote]

They shouldn't be using IQ tests at all.  Performance -- whether through subject-based testing or GPA -- should be the sole measure used if the goal of a public education system is to simpl to educate.  In contrast, the "pro-gifted" people seem to be arguing that some students need something more out of public school than a track that meets their area of competency.  Perhaps one of them could explain why.[/quote]

Most aren't using IQ tests to identify kids as GT, they are using ability tests (Cogat, NNAT, OLSAT etc.) which are highly correlated with IQ. Achievement testing also correlates highly with IQ, though not quite as much. Schools do a good job providing "tracks"(essentially AP or Pre Ap vs. general ed, or remedial/special ed) in middle and high school. And in most cases there isn't a lot "extra" provided to GT students at that age. I have a GT student and am fine with that. AP classes and academic clubs are probably enough for that age, and if it isn't, early college entry is always an option.

I think elementary school is where more GT parents see that there kid's educational needs aren't always being met. There is a reluctance to track students at that age so the pace of the class can be slow, and differentiation seems to be more of a buzzword than an actual thing that happens in school.[/quote]

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