theglyphon

A good teacher had student centred learning plans so that the lesson is adapted to challenge each child whilst keeping them in a diverse group. Having been streamed into gifted classes when I was a child I think the social stigma did more harm then the so-called extra teaching did me good. I make sure the kids have good teachers but they only go for special classes for extenmsion activities like music and drama.

Data shows that unless it is based on standardised tests gifted programs are stuffed with the wealthier kids and boys picked by parents and teacher rather than those with the greater need and potential anyway. I want the school to let my children become literate, numerate and inquisative. Anything more ambitious than that is, in my opinion, premature until they are in high school and have developed some interested and motivation of their own to excell in certain areas. Fostering that independence and ambition is worth a score of IQ points any day.

Just recently I met an old friend who always crowed about his two gifted children and loaded them up with science projects and after school activities. They both resent him greatly, one is now a happy stay at home mother and the other is missing, last seen living in a squat with other drug users. By pushing them to follow him into academia he taught them to hate the very thing he valued most.