1. Yes, it's a whole new look! Have questions or need help? Please post your question in the New Forum Questions thread Click the X to the right to dismiss this notice
    Dismiss Notice
  2. Seeing tons of unread posts after the upgrade? See this thread for help. Click the X to the right to dismiss this notice
    Dismiss Notice

Talented & Gifted program

Discussion in 'Broadlands Community Issues' started by spicegirl, May 4, 2004.

  1. spicegirl

    spicegirl New Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2004
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    I was wondering if someone could help me out with this: My kid goes to Mill run (3rd grade) and was not selected for next year's gifted program. Is it possible to get the child in the program by "parent referral" ..I have seen some other counties do it. Has anyone had any experience with this in Loudoun county? I think my child is very intelligent and would thrive on the challenge the gifted program provides.
     
  2. pdonnadurk

    pdonnadurk New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2004
    Messages:
    106
    Likes Received:
    0
    Spice girl,

    As a previous teacher (10 years in a number of Virginia localities) I have never seen a child placed in a GT program based on a parent referral alone. I have never taught in Loudon but suspect the process is similar. Although the initial referral can often be made by a parent, placement decisions are most often made using a team approach and by utilizing a variety of sources of information, included but not limited to teacher observation and evaluation, standardized tests, non standardized test, classroom product and portfolio, referrals and reports from other sources (i.e.: art teacher, PE teacher, guidance counselor etc.) plus any other pertinent information on the child. Were you invited to a meeting to discuss all of the information utilized during your child’s referral for the GT program?

    That all said I have, over the years, personally differentiated instruction to meet the needs of an individual student. Have you discussed this as an option with your child’s teacher? Teachers are often prepared to make these types of modifications if the child’s ability warrants it. Hope this helped.
     
  3. teak

    teak New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2003
    Messages:
    458
    Likes Received:
    0
    I think it wouldn't hurt to try and get your child in a GT program. Worst case, the child is not at that level and is taken out of the program.

    -Teak
    Product of the GT program :)
     
  4. smythla

    smythla New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2003
    Messages:
    52
    Likes Received:
    0
    Of course you do.

    Every parent thinks their offspring is brilliant.
     
  5. Pats_fan

    Pats_fan Former Resident

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2004
    Messages:
    1,030
    Likes Received:
    1
    Nice post. Quite constructive. Way to welcome a new member to the forums. [V]
     
  6. pdonnadurk

    pdonnadurk New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2004
    Messages:
    106
    Likes Received:
    0
    Smythla,

    I have to ask. Do you lack an internal dialogue, do you just like to see your opinions in print or are you just plain mean? You have hijacked a perfectly good thread and taken it some place unnecessary just to serve your own need to voice your opinion. Thanks so much. :(


     
  7. SK8R

    SK8R On the Clover Meadow

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2002
    Messages:
    428
    Likes Received:
    20
    pdonna, I agree with your advice to Spice Girl.
    Spice Girl, I think there are many things you can do for and with your child that are far better than the GT program at the public school. I can give you lots of ideas if you are interested.
     
  8. boomertsfx

    boomertsfx Booyakasha!

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2002
    Messages:
    2,260
    Likes Received:
    34
    Perhaps you can challenge your kid outside of school and maybe they'll get in next year!
     
  9. hberg

    hberg give me some of your tots

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2003
    Messages:
    1,265
    Likes Received:
    12
    Actually I am interested in your other ideas, please share.

     
  10. spicegirl

    spicegirl New Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2004
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Thanks everyone, for your input. SK8R, I am definitely interested in any ideas you can share with me/us. I did request a parent nomination form from the school and filled it out. I was told that would contribute 1 point towards her eligiblity (out of 16 points total). I have also requested a meeting with the pgm coordinator. I guess I should've done these things earlier and not waited until the 11th hour.
     
  11. pdonnadurk

    pdonnadurk New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2004
    Messages:
    106
    Likes Received:
    0
    The National Association for Gifted Children web site has a lot of great resources for parents and teachers.

    http://www.nagc.org/
     
  12. SK8R

    SK8R On the Clover Meadow

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2002
    Messages:
    428
    Likes Received:
    20
    I have two high achieving children. The older went into the GT program in middle school (when we moved here) and it was just extra time out of class, extra activities, all group, all in the school. She liked it. She was a very witty, friendly, social child, in everyone's business. She is still is. She is now finishing her Freshman year at W&M, a fairly difficult college to get into. She is doing very well. I do not think the GT program was a result of that though...
    My younger child did not "meet the criteria" for the GT program in third grade and she felt okay about not being in the program. Her elem. and middle school teachers always gave her extra challenging assignments and in just the regular class work, she always produced work way beyond the teacher's expectations. She plays two instruments (extremely well), took afterschool art classes and participates in many community and church activities. She is in high school now and having an very easy time in Honors and AP classes.
    My feeling is this, forget about getting your child into the GT program unless you want the stress that goes along with it, missing classes particularly.
    We moved from Anne Arundel County (not fantastic schools but good) where they "tracked" the students. There, both of my girls were in the highest track. I liked that set up better because the kids spend all day with the same students, learning and doing the same stuff.
    I feel you should think about giving your child many opportunities to do things outside of school
    In our house, we read the same books together and discuss them, do many puzzles (math and others), go to museums and do things as a family and bring along friends. We do not watch much tv, ever! We have a tv and watch the news maybe twice a week for a while or a good program on Discovery.Encourage reading, working on projects that take time and concentration, buy your child journals and encourage him/her to fill them up. My girls have piles of journals since they were in first grade and they are so fun to read now...
    I never pressured my girls with school, my only requirements were for them to behave and do the best they can. They have both made straight A's throughout their school careers
    This is a lot, sorry. I just want you to know that not getting into the GT program is not the worst thing because I don't feel it is the BEST thing.
     
  13. spicegirl

    spicegirl New Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2004
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    SK8R, thank you!I was feeling kinda down as I felt she would be missing out on something great. My bigger concern was I did not want her to feel she was "not good/smart enough" to get into the GT program. Of course I always encourage her to do her best. We moved to the US from a different country so we do not have firsthand knowledge of the school programs here and I did not want her to miss out on anything that would be good for her. We take her to the library frequently and she loves to read. She is also very creative.I like your idea of keeping journals. I generally keep stuff that she has written over the years but never had a proper journal. I guess I should just relax and not get so worked up about this GT program,after all!
     
  14. neilz

    neilz New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2003
    Messages:
    2,547
    Likes Received:
    0
    You may want to think about having her tested at one of the various learning center companies like Sylvan Learning or Huntington.

    They can test the child, then give you an idea where she stands. They will also offer classes (not cheap) with one-on-one instruction.



    Neil Z.
    Resident since 1999
     
  15. mikebnllnb

    mikebnllnb Active Member

    Joined:
    May 26, 2009
    Messages:
    142
    Likes Received:
    26
    There is nothing more satisfying than trolling your neighbors on a community message board. Good job smythla.
     
  16. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2002
    Messages:
    5,358
    Likes Received:
    250
    You replied to a post that was nearly 12 years old :) Beware the thread bump from the spammers (since deleted..)
     
    PDILLM likes this.
  17. mikebnllnb

    mikebnllnb Active Member

    Joined:
    May 26, 2009
    Messages:
    142
    Likes Received:
    26

    Doh! :confused:
     

Share This Page