[Kay Ludlow]

The GT program here was not really for "gifted" children. Those children were ignored. The GT program was for the top 25% academically. The regular ed classes were for everybody else. True gifted students only make up about 3% of a student body, but here they call the top 25% gifted.

Our school district hasn't had a gifted program for decades. They take the (ludicrous) position that ALL their classes meet the state requirements for gifted education, therefore they don't need a gifted program.

Needless to say, there's a lot of boredom among the brighter kids, and a healthy group of businesses providing after school classes to prep for SAT's, etc.

[Robert A Cook PE]

What school district?

[McLynnan]

That is definitely a "ludicrous" position on their part. Soon the only bright or gifted children who will get a good education will be those with well to do parents who can pay for private school. Here in Texas, Governor Perry plans to pay schools a bonus for certain at risk students who pass courses. This is also ludicrous. Why do we have to pay bonuses to schools to do their jobs? If the kids don't pass, either fire the teachers if they are responsible, or hold the kids back if they don't deserve to pass. Here's his proposal in a nutshell:

A proposal by Gov. Rick Perry would give Texas high schools more money when at-risk students pass an algebra test and a standardized state assessment test. The proposal calls for schools to receive an extra $100 for each student passing an end-of-course Algebra I exam. At-risk students who pass the exam will earn $200 for the school. Schools will receive another $100 when students who speak limited English pass the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test; $200 for each student who receives a commended performance on all sections of the TAKS. About 600,000 students in Texas speak English as a second language.