Reply to s/o Gifted classes in DC schools

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]If you actually have children in DCPS and feel that there isn't anything in place for advanced learners you should call your child's school to speak to the principal and find out the whole story and whether this is actually the case or not. [/quote]

What if we have children that qualify for DCPS schools, but we don't believe that there is anything in place and nobody can answer during the open houses and there is no indication that there is any formal program in place?  My child is reading and doing math three grade levels ahead.  I have absolutely no confidence that a system that can not articulate what it does for such children can actually support them.  Leaving it up to a classroom teacher that also has 80% below proficient children is not an acceptable answer.

I went to many different schools growing up (we moved a lot), and I have never heard of a system that did not at least have break out honors classes.  The better school districts also had either pull-out, one day a week in school programs or pull-out, one day a week programs where I was sent to a gifted school for that day.   These programs were imperitive to keeping my interest in academics.  Otherwise, I too likely would have been one of the statistics.  Gifted children that are left without motivation or academic challenges fail.[/quote]

Schools are not going to go into detail about what they would do for a gifted child at an open house. The question comes up at almost every time--"My perfect child is reading 5 grade levels ahead.  How will you make sure that Billy isn't short changed while you're dealing with all those poor children who aren't even on grade level yet?" I've been to many open houses and have yet to hear an administration answer this question or its many variations to the satisfaction of the questioner. I suspect because first, the discussion of gifted would highjack the open house and second, most kids aren't quite as gifted as their parents think they are.  The "gifted" conversation is not well suited for an open house.

Again, many parents in DC are convinced their kid is gifted.  I was one of these parents (mainly because my kid tested into a G&T program in another state in 1st grade).  Turns out, my kid is just very bright-- and given their tenaciousness will probably do well in life--but, not "gifted" in the clinical definition of the term.  Also, if your kid hasn't gotten beyond the 3rd grade yet, then you may want to pause the "my child is gifted" song. After 3rd and the middle school years is when you really start to see which kids are truly advanced.

Now, if your child has been tested by a professional and is indeed performing three grade levels ahead, then schedule a meeting and go over the documents with the principal to discuss how the school would serve your "truly gifted" child. If after that meeting you determine the school cannot meet your child's needs, then consider other options.[/quote]

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