Anonymous wrote:

So your take is that every kid should be in the same class? What about kids who are way behind grade level? Should they just sit there and learn nothing or should they get extra help? I just don't understand the argument for putting every kid in the same class unless you want every kid to learn at the same pace as the least common denominator. What a waste of time for all the other kids who could easily learn much faster.

Use a little common sense. No class --even AAP or GT (which really did have smart kids) is on the same level. I taught for years where we did not track kids. It is not that difficult to teach different levels. Do you really think there is that big a difference from the bottom kid in AAP and the top kid in GenEd?

Sure, a teacher can work with kids who are way behind--and, with the kids that are way ahead. Do you really think a teacher in the elementary school stands in front of the class and does direct instruction to the whole class all day with all kids doing the same thing at the same time? (Also, those who are struggling are likely getting additional outside help if they have an IEP.)

Here's another little gem: kids do not always stay at the same "spot" in the hierarchy. Some go at different speeds at different times. A kid who is a whiz at math may struggle with language arts. And, vice versa.

Anonymous wrote:Actually, crashing and burning is not uncommon for highly and profoundly gifted people.

The successful people usually fall into the much brighter than average category, not the gifted category.

That is why gifted programs were created and why they fall under the umbrella of special ed.

It also says a lot about someone's character when they become gleeful about a young adult's failure.

So your take is that every kid should be in the same class? What about kids who are way behind grade level? Should they just sit there and learn nothing or should they get extra help? I just don't understand the argument for putting every kid in the same class unless you want every kid to learn at the same pace as the least common denominator. What a waste of time for all the other kids who could easily learn much faster.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Awww, you poor thing. God forbid some other child has the same advantages as yours.

If you want special treatment for your advanced kid, get a tutor. Lots of parents do this. Public school is for the collective, not your individual kid. If you're relying on only the schools to get your desired outcome or path for your kid, then you're failing as a parent.

There are so many kids smarter than your kid that it would serve every child in the collective better if they could all be grouped and taught with other kids at a level and pace that meets their needs. Why have some kids bored and making trouble just because they are too far ahead or behind to care about what is being taught that day?[/quote]

LOL! I remember a mom making that argument a few years ago. Her kid was the same age as my DH. Her kid ended up not going to college even though he went through the GT program.

So your take is that every kid should be in the same class? What about kids who are way behind grade level? Should they just sit there and learn nothing or should they get extra help? I just don't understand the argument for putting every kid in the same class unless you want every kid to learn at the same pace as the least common denominator. What a waste of time for all the other kids who could easily learn much faster.