So, it seems that robust, supplemental G&T programs are among the first programs being (having been) cut from area public school budgets.
Anyway, what do we know about the tri-state public school districts wherein a healthy G&T program still exists (especially at the elementary school level)?
GO...
Re: Gifted & Talented
$13K/year is chump change.
Gifted preschool, elementary, and secondary school children have very limited protections under state and federal laws. Only 30 states currently have mandated services for gifted children (Karnes & Marquardt, 1997). Although Ohio mandates identification, there is no mandate for service at this time.
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I can actually hear brain cells dying in our [OH] public schools.
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I have a nephew who's in sixth grade in Visions too (and one that went through it that's now a junior). Small world!
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Unfortunately, given the state of financial burden that Fairfield City Schools are currently in, I wouldn't be surprised if many (if not all) of their gifted programs have already been drastically impacted.
https://www.fairfieldcityschools.com/2010/Curriculum/Gifted/index.shtml (note: see the "Financial Update" in the far right column).
Sad, sad, sad...
This is why we will not be using the Fairfield district. I am not going to be a happy mommy though if they have to discontinue bussing to the Catholic grade schools.
That's what happens when a community decides against supporting their local school levy.
The whole state is screwed. My mom is a teacher (formerly Fairfield, now a tiny little town in the middle of nowhere). They lost over $1 million in funding over 5 years. I *hope* that she gets through the next few years so she can get retirement.
Parents do make a difference. FF cut Latin. My nephew and others were mad that they had worked hard and wouldn't get the chance to take AP Latin. Parents got involved, and they made it happen just for that class. A certain school board member made a lot of negative changes there, and that stinks. Considering the state of the whole state, it's not so bad.
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I think g&t is one of those things that is changing... who knows where it will be next.
That said, there are many districts in the area who have a goal of growing their AP #s (mine included). So, AP courses at the high school are extremely important.
The other thing that we're focusing on across the district is moving kids from one level to the next up. So proficient to accelerated, accelerated to advanced, etc.. That is, until the rating system changes again in the next few years. In the meantime, this equals an increased performance index and helps us possibly earn excellent with distinction instead of just excellent. I"m not sure how this translates into G&T programs though.
I've been told recently that the "distinction" is just a sign that many students "grew" more than a school year and the performance index has increased significantly. If that doesn't grow enough, no "distinction" rating is given.
What is meant by "excellent"? Please tell me more... Thanks!
I was in gifted reading & writing elementary programs at Mason. Through high school, I took honors & AP classes, at Mason as well. While I don't remember too many specifics that they did with us as gifted students at the elementary level, I do remember a few (and I'm sure they've changed since I was there)! One thing we did was during reading or writing time, I would go to another classroom with the other gifted students. They called this the ACT Program. We read higher level books, were required to do more comprehensive reading/writing, & were required to write at a higher level. Now science and math, WHOLE different story for me, no clue about gifted programs there!
All in all, just as a Mason alum (I went there since K), I would recommend the schools to anyone. Great schools, great community, great sports, great opportunities.
I went to Roger Bacon! :-)
I thought they were doing away with the small schools?? I heard that awhile back, but I don't live in the district. K loved teaching IB, but I'm glad they let him go when they did or who knows if he would have been able to find another job.
The G&T program I was in was countywide, and went from 3-7 grade. 3rd graders went all days on Mondays, 4th graders on Tuesday, etc. I honestly have no idea if it's still in existence or not.
This is almost eerie. I had no idea that this article existed, until right now, as I decided to do a little googling on gifted programs in the tri-state. It was written yesterday, published less than two hours before I created this post. Sometimes, I could almost swear I have a sixth sense. Does that make ME gifted?
https://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110829/NEWS0102/108300309/Gifted-students-linked-affluent-districts
I ran into this today, and found it interesting. I honestly have not looked into the G&T programs in the schools, but I found the actual demographics not surprising. Sort of along the same lines as the article you posted.
https://news.cincinnati.com/interactive/article/20110816/NEWS0102/110816018/Gifted-children-economics
Tyler Anthony arrived on 9.21.09
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