Public School GT Program -- One kid in, one not

[lizbusby]

So we just found out that my second child didn't get into the local gifted program; his brother got into it last year. They are two years apart in age, but only one grade in school. Anyone have ideas on how to explain this to him? I know that cut-offs are arbitrary, but he was totally looking forward to the program (mostly riding the bus with his brother to the magnet school). I'm worried that it's totally going to crush his self image.

 

We had a similar problem when my older one got into a Montessori preschool, but there wasn't enough room for both of them. The younger one actually asked me at age three if the reason he couldn't go to older one's school was because he couldn't do math yet. Older one is more your typical image of a gifted kid: self taught to read at age 2, does math on his own for fun. Second child is smart as well, but didn't pick up on reading well until 6 years old. He's much more socially aware than older son (who is a typical absent minded professor).

Edited March 22, 2017 by lizbusby

[Tranquility7]

I highly recommend reading the book Mindset. It is amazing, and speaks to exactly this kind of situation. Our society (and especially our schools) have this idea about who is going to succeed and who isn’t – teachers think the kid with the high IQ is going to succeed (and always will), and the one with the average or IQ is going to be average (and always will). But research shows this is not the case! It is the person who *works hard* and *perseveres* in the face of challenges who actually succeeds longterm. "Talent" or "intelligence" only takes someone a little way... the rest of the path to success is earned through hard work. So read Mindset, and then put on a growth mindset. It takes effort, attention, and practice to have a growth mindset when that isn’t your previous way of thinking (ask me how I know, LOL). Work at it, and teach it to your kids.

 

Will there be another opportunity for your younger DS to test into the program? If so, I would tell him, “You know what? Teachers think that doing well on one little test means you should be in the program. I’m sorry, but this year you didn’t quite score well enough on their test. It might be a silly test, but that is just the way it works. How about we work together really hard this year, and see if next year we can make it happen? It will mean you have to do some extra work with me after school, and on your own also, but if you want to do it, I would love to help you.â€

 

Meanwhile, praise your kids for diligence, perseverance, and focus, rather than intelligence or admission into a GT program. Consider enrolling your older kid in an activity that he is not naturally good at. This will help him learn how to work hard and press on through challenges. Don’t let him quit. It is very easy for high achieving fixed mindset kiddos to not learn how to work hard and persevere, kwim?

 

(ETA an important point in the first paragraph :-))

Edited March 22, 2017 by tranquility7

[lizbusby]

I am familiar with the Mindset and grit ideologies. We definitely talk a lot about it at home. Good idea.

He can reapply to test every year, which we probably will.

[Mike in SA]

I personally know of a kid with a 140+ IQ who was denied entry into a GT program.  Sometimes, these things have less to do with intelligence than the schools let on.  Sometimes, testing style, teacher reference, and learning style mean more than student ability...

[MamaSprout]

I personally know of a kid with a 140+ IQ who was denied entry into a GT program.  Sometimes, these things have less to do with intelligence than the schools let on.  Sometimes, testing style, teacher reference, and learning style mean more than student ability...

 

And I've noticed being a teacher pleaser doesn't hurt in GT program entrance either. Or sitting still in class.

[Mike in SA]

And I've noticed being a teacher pleaser doesn't hurt in GT program entrance either. Or sitting still in class.

Exactly. Bored kids with active minds need not apply in some districts. There are those where the target is the top 10% - leaving the top 1% to fend for themselves. We are thankful for a 1st grade GT teacher telling us to hightail it out of the system with younger DS. He would never have been served appropriately.

 

If you are really concerned with intelligence, have a professional administer a comprehensive profile. It will give you something to work with, regardless of the GT program's opinion.

[SKL]

I have a similar situation with one kid academically far ahead of the other.  It's always been this way, so I've always focused on the fact that they have different talents, and tried not to let it appear that one (e.g. sports talent) was more or less important than another (e.g. ease of reading).  My more average IQ kid is adequately challenged in school, so I would not pursue more school rigor for her even if I could.  Being able to pursue non-academic activities has boosted her self-esteem more than any elite academics could.  :)

 

My higher IQ kid also did not test into the gifted program, and I think it's because she is young for grade and the testing may not have been age-appropriate.  This may also be the case with your 6yo.  I can get her independently tested and push for her to be admitted, and I'm still weighing this option.  I'm not sure she would like the program - it seems focused on things she avoids, i.e., writing, presenting, and doing extra work.  She has unimpressive work habits, and I have no desire to have to chase additional responsibilities on her behalf.  She thinks she wants it, mainly to be with friends and for the pride factor.  But does she really need this - I'm not feeling it.  She can live without it.  School is interesting enough, and she has enough outside resources and activities to keep her mind busy.  If I felt she was horribly bored in school etc., I would have pushed the matter.

[kiwik]

Until the end of this year the only gifted programming is the extension programme at intermediate (6th and 7th grade).  After this year there will be none.  None of the tested gifted kids I know have been accepted into the extension class although I do know a few whose parents were surprised when their bright and hard working but not exceptional child was.