Our public school's "gifted" program was what made me decide to pull my eldest daughter out and homeschool. It was a joke, using make-work to keep the gifted from getting bored in class while not actually enhancing their education.
So interesting to hear the comments on Gifted Ed from parents. We homeschooled our own kid, but as a teacher (currently tutoring) I have attended several Gifted conferences, just to gather data. I have not been impressed.
The teachers of the older elementary kids hate it, because they have to do extra work to make it happen, and they are already tap-dancing. The goal is to go broader and deeper (what does that mean?), but wouldn’t every child profit by that? I have one math student, 6th grade, who has been in the Gifted Math program. He does NOT know his multiplication tables. Of what earthly good is teaching him math concepts if he cannot DO math?
Seems to depend, also, on whether there are spots in that particular class/ time slot.
And, of course, there is so much whining from outside the program to make sure it is FAIR — what does that mean? That it should include stupid kids too?
Just so interesting to hear your takes on this. Thanks.
Same here, not more challenging, just more work to keep them busy.