Myboys said:
When districts were hit hard a few years ago with the massive budget cuts, the easiest thing to eliminate was G&T because districts could say that all teachers were differentiating in the classroom. However, many teachers do not differentiate across the board in their rooms. It is almost an impossible expectation.
susan1014 said:
She is still struggling with an expectation that math should be effortless to learn, a belief that is driving her out of top level HS courses.
susan1014 said:
2. The main new addition is a proposal to identify students gifted in the arts, music, dance, leadership, etc., differentiate their intruction in those areas, and provide showcases for their talent (e.g. a District-wide gallery show). In addition, there is a plan to pilot an elementary math competition program at Seth Boyden this year. And, oh yes, they plan to give parents lists of outside opportunities that might be of interest. And maybe they will eventually let kids work ahead in the online ST Math...
wnb said:
Esiders points out, "Special Ed" is federally mandated.
I'll add, G&T is state mandated. You kind of were implying it is optional whereas Special Needs is not. But that's not actually true. They're both mandated at some level.
I think mammabear's point is a valid one, the BOT picks and chooses which mandates it wishes to follow. Perhaps part of that is based on the fact that the state's G&T mandate has no teeth whatsoever, and that the BOT has so far been good and crafting a message that "our regular curriculum is G&T" or something to that effect.
kareno said:
ST Math has been going on for my 4th grader now for half a year, and we just got the explanation of his progress. I looked it over with him, and found that he has been working on it for about half the amount of time that is the class average. So, I say to him, perhaps you should work on it some more, because he is also not working on it for the time that is "recommended". But he points out to me that his progress is further than the class average. OK, now smarty pants has learned that he doesn't have to work so much... It is an interesting experience.
joanauer said:
Enrichment teachers could receive training in gifted education and serve more as coaches/facilitators/testers, etc. They could manage the identification process, work with teachers and parents to come up with a plan, and then assist classroom teachers in modifying their curriculum, readings, homework assignments, etc. as necessary for students who really need this.
dg64 said:
Please correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the enrichment teacher positions were eliminated in the last budgetary cycle.
mapletree said:
At the very generous minimum wage of $10.10, the easy to remember ten ten, a worker gross income is $404.00/wk and $21,008 if my brain is functioning correctly. $18k after tax is a fortune.
jayjayp said:
The truth is that Osborne and many of the BOE have no interest in serving the gifted and talented. They are far more interested in their achievement gap which they have convinced themselves is all about racial bias. That is their agenda. Every attempt to fight for G&T kids will be met with half heartedness. There is no press and resume benefit for Osborne in that, and for some of those long timers on the BOE, they are only too happy to go along with this.
I suggest that those who can afford it, explore private schools. G&T kids deserve better, and many of the private schools will cater to their needs. For those who can't afford to go that route, continue the fight on behalf of your kids, but realize that it will sap you of energy and you will probably not win. If you can, at least try to have your kids socialize with other G&T kids to help give them some of the mental stimulation they need.
gaijin said:
JJP and Chalmers are correct. Anyone who has read Ursula K. LeGuin's story The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas will recognize the moral position of the Board and its choice of Superintendent.
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Thank you for your thoughts. I am curious what you think of the process so far including the guiding change document and the power point prepared by district and shared at Monday's meeting?