Comments on: Gifted students: Would skipping them ahead save money? http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2009/08/12/gifted-students-would-skipping-them-ahead-save-money/ Your source to discuss and learn about education in Atlanta, Georgia and the nation Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:50:39 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Maddie Cat http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2009/08/12/gifted-students-would-skipping-them-ahead-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-37006 Maddie Cat Sun, 28 Feb 2010 19:27:29 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/?p=1038#comment-37006 These are very interesting and timely comments on accelerated learning. A few years ago we decided to try homeschooling our elementary aged child. He was bored in traditional school, although making all A's, and scoring in the 99% on standardized tests. By the time he was in 2nd grade he was literally begging us to try home schooling. In retrospect, his experience in our local private school had been very revealing. In pre-K the teacher recommended he be held back. We refused because we knew that the evidence did not support the suggestion.(He was already reading when he entered pre-K, yet the teacher refused to let him read, and actually downgraded him when he did so.) We had him tested at a local university and they were shocked by the teacher's suggestion! Based on the university's testing the PhD working with us suggested moving him UP academically by a year, or two, and strongly definitely discouraged us from taking the teacher's suggestion to hold him back. We did not explore the possibility of advancing him because we thought it was important for him to stay with his age group. (We did however manage to convince the school to move him to a different pre-K class.) What we did not realize at the time was that almost half of the boys in his grade at this school had indeed been held-back, either by the school or by their parents at the start of pre-K! For the next three years he was in an academically represive environment (for him), yet dealing with the social issues that would have presented in the grade level above. He had an advanced vocabulary, and tried to talk out problems rather than working them out physically (by brute force). From what I've read, that actually made him a traget for the classroom bully..... One can easily see that his traditional school experience was not a happy one. If we had followed the lead of the university testing we would have advanced him a grade, and things might have been different. He literally begged us to homeschool him, which we initially resisted. Later we decided to at least try it for a year. Fast forward three years later. Standardized testing at the start of this school year placed him two grade levels above his age-appropriate grade level. We adjusted his curriculum accordingly, and he is challenged yet extremely motivated to succeed with his studies. He has thrived socially with a strong homeschool network of close friends across several age groups. The old adage, "water seeks its own level" certainly is true when students have the freedom to move forward at their own pace. At age 12 his close friends range in age from 11-16. Many are also homeschoolers, but not all. (The older ones are, being free from the social constraints to "be cool", etc. they readily accept younger friends who have similar interests and intelectual capabilities.) The private school we left has already undergone a few changes which hopefully improved their educational program. Whether they were holding kids back in pre-K in order to eek out another year's tuition, or whether they felt it was truly in the best interset of the student is still a question in my mind. His second grade teacher even said, "I would suggest moving him up a grade, but he doesn't do all of his work 'perfectly'!" In other words, he missed one or two on a worksheet occassionally. Now I know her comments contributed to a paralizying need for perfection, which we had to overcome once we started homeschooling. All said, our child's experience with today's traditional brick and morter school was not a good one, despite my husband's and my combined 42 years of such education (post graduate professional schools included in the total.)We were unlikely home schoolers. I swore we would never go that route, yet here we are. I know it is not for everyone, and I know it is not the answer for all educational needs. However, it has certainly shown us that allowing students the freedom to move at their own pace has it's rewards, especially for gifted students. These are very interesting and timely comments on accelerated learning. A few years ago we decided to try homeschooling our elementary aged child. He was bored in traditional school, although making all A’s, and scoring in the 99% on standardized tests. By the time he was in 2nd grade he was literally begging us to try home schooling. In retrospect, his experience in our local private school had been very revealing. In pre-K the teacher recommended he be held back. We refused because we knew that the evidence did not support the suggestion.(He was already reading when he entered pre-K, yet the teacher refused to let him read, and actually downgraded him when he did so.) We had him tested at a local university and they were shocked by the teacher’s suggestion! Based on the university’s testing the PhD working with us suggested moving him UP academically by a year, or two, and strongly definitely discouraged us from taking the teacher’s suggestion to hold him back. We did not explore the possibility of advancing him because we thought it was important for him to stay with his age group. (We did however manage to convince the school to move him to a different pre-K class.) What we did not realize at the time was that almost half of the boys in his grade at this school had indeed been held-back, either by the school or by their parents at the start of pre-K! For the next three years he was in an academically represive environment (for him), yet dealing with the social issues that would have presented in the grade level above. He had an advanced vocabulary, and tried to talk out problems rather than working them out physically (by brute force). From what I’ve read, that actually made him a traget for the classroom bully….. One can easily see that his traditional school experience was not a happy one. If we had followed the lead of the university testing we would have advanced him a grade, and things might have been different. He literally begged us to homeschool him, which we initially resisted. Later we decided to at least try it for a year. Fast forward three years later. Standardized testing at the start of this school year placed him two grade levels above his age-appropriate grade level. We adjusted his curriculum accordingly, and he is challenged yet extremely motivated to succeed with his studies. He has thrived socially with a strong homeschool network of close friends across several age groups. The old adage, “water seeks its own level” certainly is true when students have the freedom to move forward at their own pace. At age 12 his close friends range in age from 11-16. Many are also homeschoolers, but not all. (The older ones are, being free from the social constraints to “be cool”, etc. they readily accept younger friends who have similar interests and intelectual capabilities.) The private school we left has already undergone a few changes which hopefully improved their educational program. Whether they were holding kids back in pre-K in order to eek out another year’s tuition, or whether they felt it was truly in the best interset of the student is still a question in my mind. His second grade teacher even said, “I would suggest moving him up a grade, but he doesn’t do all of his work ‘perfectly’!” In other words, he missed one or two on a worksheet occassionally. Now I know her comments contributed to a paralizying need for perfection, which we had to overcome once we started homeschooling. All said, our child’s experience with today’s traditional brick and morter school was not a good one, despite my husband’s and my combined 42 years of such education (post graduate professional schools included in the total.)We were unlikely home schoolers. I swore we would never go that route, yet here we are. I know it is not for everyone, and I know it is not the answer for all educational needs. However, it has certainly shown us that allowing students the freedom to move at their own pace has it’s rewards, especially for gifted students.

]]> By: tool http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2009/08/12/gifted-students-would-skipping-them-ahead-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-23133 tool Thu, 24 Dec 2009 02:14:56 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/?p=1038#comment-23133 Takk for interessant informasjon Takk for interessant informasjon

]]> By: kate http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2009/08/12/gifted-students-would-skipping-them-ahead-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-11449 kate Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:16:36 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/?p=1038#comment-11449 I am disappointed with our education system. My son turned 5 in May, can read on a first grade level, has beaten every Reader Rabbit and Jump Start Game we have let him play for "fun", he tells time, and learned to play chess when he was 4. Now he is attending public Kindergarten. My husband and I spoke to his teacher prior to him starting school to ensure he would be challenged and she was very excited to have such a "helper" in her class. On his first week of school he gave us a paper where his name was written on the top in pen by the teacher assistant and he had successfully traced the letter "A" (which is in his name). When asked why he did not write his name; he said that none of the other kids knew how to write their names. It is so sad. The teacher and principal claim they will evaluate him and then "see what else they can do" after the first report card....In NOVEMBER. I am disappointed with our education system. My son turned 5 in May, can read on a first grade level, has beaten every Reader Rabbit and Jump Start Game we have let him play for “fun”, he tells time, and learned to play chess when he was 4. Now he is attending public Kindergarten. My husband and I spoke to his teacher prior to him starting school to ensure he would be challenged and she was very excited to have such a “helper” in her class. On his first week of school he gave us a paper where his name was written on the top in pen by the teacher assistant and he had successfully traced the letter “A” (which is in his name). When asked why he did not write his name; he said that none of the other kids knew how to write their names. It is so sad. The teacher and principal claim they will evaluate him and then “see what else they can do” after the first report card….In NOVEMBER.

]]> By: Aisha http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2009/08/12/gifted-students-would-skipping-them-ahead-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-8508 Aisha Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:54:16 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/?p=1038#comment-8508 Great blog! We are trying to figure out the best way to go with our 4-year old daughter. Currently she is in pre-kindergarten but her teachers and we feel that academically she is ready for 1st grade. We dont know if we should go private school route or public school and insist that she is tested on the scale to be placed in higher math and reading classes or even a higher grade. The work that she gets from school is not challenging AT ALL. I have to teach her at home and give her work that my son who is second grade does. Decisions, decisions... Great blog! We are trying to figure out the best way to go with our 4-year old daughter. Currently she is in pre-kindergarten but her teachers and we feel that academically she is ready for 1st grade. We dont know if we should go private school route or public school and insist that she is tested on the scale to be placed in higher math and reading classes or even a higher grade. The work that she gets from school is not challenging AT ALL. I have to teach her at home and give her work that my son who is second grade does. Decisions, decisions…

]]> By: P S http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2009/08/12/gifted-students-would-skipping-them-ahead-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-7745 P S Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:40:52 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/?p=1038#comment-7745 My son was born after the deadline (has to be six by Sept) for grade 1. However, the school (Gwinnett county) put my son in Grade 2 because he had already completed his grade 1 in his montessori school which has an integrated curriculum. They promised me about differential teaching and is currently being tested for the Gifted program. I would also like to know if the accelerated math curriculum taught to him is similar to grade skipping or is is it just a pace difference? My son was born after the deadline (has to be six by Sept) for grade 1. However, the school (Gwinnett county) put my son in Grade 2 because he had already completed his grade 1 in his montessori school which has an integrated curriculum. They promised me about differential teaching and is currently being tested for the Gifted program. I would also like to know if the accelerated math curriculum taught to him is similar to grade skipping or is is it just a pace difference?

]]> By: Mom http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2009/08/12/gifted-students-would-skipping-them-ahead-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-7045 Mom Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:43:59 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/?p=1038#comment-7045 My child is gifted, and she is in gifted program now, I am not sure if it's a good idea to move your child to higher grade because he/she is intelectually advance. Later in future I am not sure if she will be ready psychologicall, emotionally, physically to cope with other classmates who are older than her. My child is gifted, and she is in gifted program now,
I am not sure if it’s a good idea to move your child to higher grade because he/she is intelectually advance. Later in future I am not sure if she will be ready psychologicall, emotionally, physically to cope with other classmates who are older than her.

]]> By: Babs4reason http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2009/08/12/gifted-students-would-skipping-them-ahead-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-7033 Babs4reason Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:37:39 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/?p=1038#comment-7033 My oldest daughter is highly gifted in math. In October of her 1st grade year, the teacher tested her and she made 100% on the end of first grade test. Curious, the teacher gave her the end of second grade test and she scored a 90%. The teacher told me this with a smile, and I could only think that my poor child would sit through 2 years of math and learn nothing. They did NOT advance her. This was in Gwinnett, and we are in Fayette now. She is now a senior and in AP classes but is still bored and says the courses are too slow. She is becoming apathetic. I believe that the public schools are failing the brightest children. I understand that "gifted" encompasses a huge range of learning but these children are literally being bored out of their minds. They really need to be separated from the other children. She used to asked me why the teachers repeat everything 10 times when she got it the first time. Imagine spending your days like that - I know I did. It is the equivalent of throwing a "slow" child into a regular class, and is equally a poor fit. My oldest daughter is highly gifted in math. In October of her 1st grade year, the teacher tested her and she made 100% on the end of first grade test. Curious, the teacher gave her the end of second grade test and she scored a 90%. The teacher told me this with a smile, and I could only think that my poor child would sit through 2 years of math and learn nothing. They did NOT advance her. This was in Gwinnett, and we are in Fayette now. She is now a senior and in AP classes but is still bored and says the courses are too slow. She is becoming apathetic. I believe that the public schools are failing the brightest children. I understand that “gifted” encompasses a huge range of learning but these children are literally being bored out of their minds. They really need to be separated from the other children. She used to asked me why the teachers repeat everything 10 times when she got it the first time. Imagine spending your days like that – I know I did. It is the equivalent of throwing a “slow” child into a regular class, and is equally a poor fit.

]]> By: Rosie http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2009/08/12/gifted-students-would-skipping-them-ahead-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-6999 Rosie Mon, 17 Aug 2009 02:41:08 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/?p=1038#comment-6999 Every teacher should be providing differentiated instruction (Ha!Ha!). As a poster stated earlier, who has the time. Differentiation is a joke and something developed by someone out of the classroom for way too long. What happens in a workplace when one person is smarter than the other employess? Smart person usually promoted and others are left in the same jobs until they show improvement. Acceleration happens in the real world so why not in schools. Acceleration might provide much need motivations for those left behind. Why should children have to sit in a class waiting for others to catch up? Why not move all children ahead when they are ready. Every teacher should be providing differentiated instruction (Ha!Ha!). As a poster stated earlier, who has the time. Differentiation is a joke and something developed by someone out of the classroom for way too long. What happens in a workplace when one person is smarter than the other employess? Smart person usually promoted and others are left in the same jobs until they show improvement. Acceleration happens in the real world so why not in schools. Acceleration might provide much need motivations for those left behind. Why should children have to sit in a class waiting for others to catch up? Why not move all children ahead when they are ready.

]]> By: mom http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2009/08/12/gifted-students-would-skipping-them-ahead-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-6932 mom Sat, 15 Aug 2009 19:58:24 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/?p=1038#comment-6932 My daughter attends school in Cobb County. She was full grade accelertated, skipping 2nd grade, and now is in 7th. She still performs at the top of her class and is on the small size. She has no issues with bullies because of her size or development. Cobb County follows the Iowa Acceleration Process. The clincher is it is up to the principal of the school. I agree with Gwinnet Citizen on the testing for gifted children. I've seen children in the program that scored in the 20% on the ITBS yet scored well on creativity and motivation. I'm not sure that child is properly placed with the child scoring in the 99%. It's all about money. There is additional money alloted for those children placed in gifted but it doesn't have to be spent on the gifted program. Many of the schools claim they can differeniate instead of acceleration. I'm not sure why when the teachers seldom follow through on the claim. I've spoken to several teachers and they say they just don't have the time. They must meet the needs of the under performing kids but no one checks on the above performing kids so they let them slide. maureen - instead of a blog how about some real reporting on what GA is doing for the gifted/advance child. Are they really having their needs met? Read A Nation Deceived, it's excellent and very much an eye opener. My daughter attends school in Cobb County. She was full grade accelertated, skipping 2nd grade, and now is in 7th. She still performs at the top of her class and is on the small size. She has no issues with bullies because of her size or development. Cobb County follows the Iowa Acceleration Process. The clincher is it is up to the principal of the school.

I agree with Gwinnet Citizen on the testing for gifted children. I’ve seen children in the program that scored in the 20% on the ITBS yet scored well on creativity and motivation. I’m not sure that child is properly placed with the child scoring in the 99%. It’s all about money. There is additional money alloted for those children placed in gifted but it doesn’t have to be spent on the gifted program.

Many of the schools claim they can differeniate instead of acceleration. I’m not sure why when the teachers seldom follow through on the claim. I’ve spoken to several teachers and they say they just don’t have the time. They must meet the needs of the under performing kids but no one checks on the above performing kids so they let them slide.

maureen – instead of a blog how about some real reporting on what GA is doing for the gifted/advance child. Are they really having their needs met? Read A Nation Deceived, it’s excellent and very much an eye opener.

]]> By: cricket http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2009/08/12/gifted-students-would-skipping-them-ahead-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-6775 cricket Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:44:08 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/?p=1038#comment-6775 Don't bother having grades. Just let them leave when they finish the highest level of River Deep or Academy of Math. Oh wait, we will need computer batteries. Don’t bother having grades. Just let them leave when they finish the highest level of River Deep or Academy of Math. Oh wait, we will need computer batteries.

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