homeschooling research on gifted students?

[Wildiris]

I was wonder what you all thought of the amount of research on accelerated/gifted homeschoolers. Much has been written about homeschooling as a social movement, and homeschooling becoming recognized as a mainstream alternative to traditional education. The question of homeschool socialization has been demystified by many researchers, but very little is written about the gifted homeschooler. When I asked for additional funds from my independent charter school to meet the needs of my accelerated student, I was told that by virtue of being homeschooled my child's needs as a gifted student were met. Yet I know were my child labelled learning disabled she'd be elegible for a myriad of educational funds. How does homeschooling a gifted child differ from a "regular "kid? Do you think more research should or could be done in this area to make your journey as a home educator easier? Are tests necessary to ligitimate ones claim that a child is gifted or accelerated, if so why?

[radiobrain]

I would say other than the pre-requisite of " Check out Hoagie's" would be these 2 sites and books by these 2 authors and one other list.

 

http://www.brightkidsathome.com (These may or may not be secular. I do believe that This one DEFINITLY is secular.)

http://www.thehomeschooldiner.com

 

David Albert

Lisa Rivero -- she wrote Creative HSing, teaching gifted kids at home (some sort of variation of that general title) and The Homeschool Option.

 

also google "a nation deceived"

 

join tagmax (gifted hs list) or tagfam (gifted reg. school list) you should make sur ethat you join on "digest mode" (my opinion only! ) and ask your questions there...

 

the thing is that I am not sure I understand "independent charter school". I am assuming that this an eschool, but is this one funded by the state? It definitely makes a difference. Technically, you would not be HSing in the legal sense of the word, but you are in literal terms.

 

I hope someone will be able to help you but there are a few things to consider... as traditional homeschoolers (whatever style you may choose) we do not have any access to funds at all, so talking about getting addtl. funds is a moot point. Gifted or not, LD or not. We choose to go "off the grid" educationally, and are treated accordingly. In the regular educational world, gifted kids are notoriously underserved and it is difficult to get what you need no matter what. It just is, they don't seem to be a priority.

 

Now, the thing is... if your 'Independent charter school' is providing your curriculum and doleing out some funding... the statement that "by virtue of being homeschooled my child's needs as a gifted student were met" is bogus. If it is a state funded eschool, you are not HSing, and they shouldn't be able to hide behind that banner when it is convenient.

 

Testing is important for specific things... it depends on what your needs really are. In a B & M school, public, private or computer... I would think it is necessary and as far as I know, should also be paid for... but it depends on each state and each school district's testing/ funding regulations.

 

I think you might need to clarify a bit... to get a more precise answer.

 

The Lisa Rivero books are pretty decent though. :001_smile:

 

I think that the numbers of people choosing to HS for educational reasons is growing every year, and gifted kids in particular. NCLB is a factor, in my opinion, but it is more like "one more nail in the coffin" than anything else. A tipping point. As time goes on, more books or studies will be written... but as you can completely tailor a child's education when HSing there can't really be a definitive study. really. we're all too weird. :D

 

 

love ya!!!

 

toodles!!!

 

I am watching 6 kids today (only 2 are mine) :eek::eek: I need a cocktail!

Edited July 7, 2009 by radiobrain

[JennW in SoCal]

Let me preface this by saying my oldest ds is "twice exceptional", that is he is gifted with learning disabilities. I homeschooled him through high school and used a public charter school that serves homeschoolers through the high school years. He was tested for special services and was covered by a 504, which lists all the accommodations he is allowed and guaranteed by the law. Those accommodations only mattered when he took standardized tests through the school -- it didn't change anything about what we were doing at home. He never received any additional funding because of his status.

 

The type of need that learning disabled children require is fantastically different from the type of need gifted children have. Learning disabled kids need special therapy just to be able to handle basic skills like reading, and the kids who receive school paid services have to test as being profoundly in need of such therapy. Many families fight tooth and nail to receive these services but most pay for them independently. The rest of "learning disabled" kids simply get "accommodations" which don't cost the school district anything but make them more successful in a school setting. Accommodations mean extra time on tests, receiving written instructions or written lecture notes, the use of a laptop in class.

 

And I want to emphatically say that there is most certainly NOT a "myriad of educational funds" for learning disabled kids.

 

What exactly are you looking for from the charter school? I never asked for nor expected additional funding for my child. As a homeschool mom I researched curricula and materials that would work best for him, most often created unique courses that fit him perfectly, taking into account his gifts and handicaps. The charter school ordered whatever I requested with the only exception being religious materials because it is a publicly funded school.

 

I would suggest that instead of expecting extra money, you figure out what exactly would fit your child the best for a year and see what the school will pay for within your yearly budget. Your charter may not be aware of EPGY for instance, but perhaps they would pay for it as part of your yearly budget for materials. I bought lots of materials myself, paid for outside classes, too, just as I would have if I had a "typical" child in a "typical" brick and mortar public school.

 

I do believe that by homeschooling most needs of every individual student are met, whether they are learning disabled or gifted. And of course gifted students have unique needs. But it is our job as parents to meet those needs, to adjust conditions and choose the materials that fit them best. Look at all the families who have homeschooled independently who never received outside help yet their kids blossomed in all kinds of amazing ways.

 

Sorry to go off on a rant, but that line about being eligible for extra funding got to me!

[Wildiris]

To begin with I am not sure I understand why within the greater Home-education/homeschool movement that a distinction is made between a person who chooses to homeschool independently or homeschool through a charter school that offers independent study. How is there a difference? Aren't I at home schooling my child too? I pay taxes, and using $ through a charter school is a way to recoup my tax dollars. I am not told what to do and the degree of accountability I must produce is minimal at best and is not at all reflective of depth of education I provide at home. I realize some see charter schools as a means of being co-opted by state run schools, yet in my case it makes homeschool financially feasible. Wouldn't making the distinction that only purist homeschoolers who reject any state funds are the truest homeschooler only serve to fragment the homeschooling community and in the end be divisive? Where is tolerance in that kind of attitude? In the end, don't we both want the same thing and that is the best educational experience for our children?

 

As for the gifted question and special education etc.: Yes, the charter school does in fact provide special ed. services for students determined to need them and a special ed. teacher is employed for these needs. Yet when it comes to gifted education or the needs of a gifted student I suppose these students are treated in much the same way they are in the non-independent public school setting, which is to overlook their needs. After all as this is still a public school environment in a homeschool setting. No, EPGY is not offered and even if it was the now limited budget I have to work with will not cover the cost. I am sooo ashamed to say I was born and raised in the dysfunctional state of California.

 

I guess I am just grumpy:tongue_smilie:and my expectations are too high. I wish curriculum were more affordable. I am feeling very frustrated...Sorry.

 

[radiobrain]

I think that eschooling IS a totally wonderful and viable option. I have no problem with it. AT ALL.

 

I DO have a problem with the schools THEMSELVES using the term "homeschooling". It is misleading and muddies up the waters. There is a fundamental difference between public/private/charter school at home and homeschooling. It is $$ and it is jumping through whatever hoops it has attached to you utilizing it. But we all are doing the teaching and spending the time with our kids and doing it at home.

 

I think that the schools themselves go out of their way to con a lot of people...but that is a different can of worms and a totally silly tangent.

 

There is a legal clarification though. Each state has different HS laws and regulations that we must comply with. I do not know CA's. But sitting around the kitchen table there is no difference. We all want to do the best for our children, and someday you might go "traditional" and I might go computer. Things change!

 

BTW you can do all this on very little $$ really. We are a one income household and I have no idea how we manage.. but we do... I spend more than I need to though...just 'cause I love to own books so much! some math workbooks and the library... sample lessons from various publishers. You need to be creative, but it can be done. :)

 

but as far as gifted stuff, that is always going to be difficult!

[Wildiris]

Please elaborate: Why does using the term "homeschooling" muddy the water? How is "homeschooling" defined, or better, how do you define "homeschooling?" Why does accepting $$ negate the fact that a person is at home and educating their child at home?

 

It becomes a question of semantics. Would you feel more comfortable with the term Independent Study be used and not Homeschooling? What is the difference between Independent Study and Homeschooling, and why should we choose to create a difference?

 

I was not conned into "homeschooling" through a charter school, I entered into the agreement out of necessity. I do not jump through hoops other than providing paper work that no one reads about what my kids do for school. I can always opt out when I feel the need to exit. I do not have to test if I choose not to, although I am encouraged to do so for the sake of the charter's existence.

 

I do not want to put you on the defensive, rather I am keenly interested in your thinking and the conclusions you've drawn and why. So, I hope you reply. I am enjoying the conversation.

 

P.S.

we do not e-school.

[Truscifi]

Hmm, I don't really want to enter into the fray here, but I'm curious about the charter school thing. Is this done through the public school system? Is that why you get funding, because your dc is still a registered public school student? How did you find out about this option? Are there strings attached, such as having to follow curriculum guidelines or testing requirements? Is this an option for all students where you live? I don't think the my county, or possibly state, offers anything like this and I am not familiar with how it works.

:bigear:

[JennW in SoCal]

In California there are publicly funded charter schools whose purpose is to serve homeschool students. Many school districts like to have them because they are cheap to operate (as they don't have to maintain a large building of classrooms) and the district gets additional funds for having those students registered in the schools.

 

For a homeschooling family the pros include getting a certain amount of money each year for consumable supplies or outside lessons. The schools often have a library of text books and other reusable material that you can check out for the year. Some schools offer on-line services such as Alex.com for math or Discovery Learning for free which otherwise costs a bit of money for a homeschool family. The reason I joined one was to have an outside teacher my kids have to answer to once a month. It motivated them more than just having to do work for me. Also, charter schools work very hard to become accredited, that is to have their diplomas and transcripts accepted by the UC and CalState system and by other public schools. That is a huge deal in high school. There are also supplemental classes and activites that entice people to join.

 

The cons vary depending on the school. Some are very flexible and supportive of "real" homeschooling, some are really public school at home. The constraints in high school are frustrating because the UC system wants to have uniformity in the classes they require, and some charters give in to this and, in order to keep their accreditation, start requiring high school students to only use certain texts. Testing is optional, but the schools desperately need something like 90% of their students to participate in order to receive funding.

 

The State Superintendent of Education at one point several years ago threatened that every homeschooler in the state had to enroll in one of these or else our kids would be considered truant. The uproar was huge and it didn't stand, but we who are in charters get scolded quite often for weakening the homeschool movement.

 

It is a bit of a Faustian bargain to enroll in one of these, but it the positives for us by far outweigh the negatives.

[JennW in SoCal]

California is a mess, isn't it? I haven't heard what kind of impact our charter is facing this fall due to the budget mess. I've heard the UC system is making life harder for the charter schools by making new rules for the A-G course requirements.

 

Do you have other charters to look into in your area? I know they vary wildly here in San Diego as to what they will and won't pay for. One charter school would pay for an entire Calvert curriculum for instance, but another would only pay for part. I know someone who is going to try to add EPGY as a vendor at our charter, but haven't heard if she was successful.

 

I don't have high expectations for the charter. I appreciate all they have done for my oldest son as his facilitator and special ed specialist really made a difference in helping me create a high school course of study for him to succeed. They are a bit clueless about how to challenge my younger son, who is gifted and otherwise neurotypical, but are very supportive of all I do, so I just research and plan and they help me whenever I ask. That my kids have had to meet with a teacher monthly has been the best reason for being in a charter -- that extra bit of accountability makes a big difference! It has never occurred to me that their having a gifted specialist would be a useful addition, but I still don't know if it is a service I'd use even if available.

 

And finally, I don't mean to sound so picky, but I just want to clarify that the Americans With Disabilities Act is what ensures learning disabled kids get services. And the difference between them and gifted kids is that without services or accommodations, learning disabled kids might be unable to master basic scholastic skills and certainly would not reach their academic potential. It is the difference between success and failure, even with homeschooled kids. I believe in the importance of accommodating gifted kids, don't get me wrong, but it is a different matter entirely. Given the limited budget of the state I'd far rather have special ed services available.

[Ohdanigirl]

I was reading you post and thinking that sounds like Ca, then you said it. The budget is really affecting everyone, and I think we can all agree that even those homeschooling through a Ca charter school are not getting the amount of money that is given for regular PS students (in the thousands). It has been awhile since I researched and educated myself on the CA charters so I have a few questions.

 

1. Do you have a book budget?

2. Do they still provide $70/mo for extras? Or have they changed this?

3. Would you mind sharing with us what you do use/do (curriculum and activities?

4. What did you have in mind when you asked for the funds?

 

I am sure that with some creative thinking you could come up with something. Maybe with a few extra willing heads we could brain storm a solution. I wouldn't expect much for the Ca gov. though.

 

To clarify, the schools do have a special Ed teacher and "other resources" but they truly do not add up to much. It just looks good on paper. I know because I have worked in many CA PS schools, sad. It is the biggest reason why I chose to HS. The money the gov. spends to provide free education to all the kids that cross the San Ysidro border everyday is what gets me, but that is another story.

[Ohdanigirl]

I think the last post may have answered some of my q's.

[radiobrain]

ok, I have had one cup of coffee, my husband is on a bike ride, my boys are playing with legos.... I might be able to conquer this.....

 

First of all I live in Ohio, where there are several statewide eschools. This year they are all threatened with budget cuts and their own poor performance levels. On paper, charter schools are not particularly successful. I am sure this has to do with a myriad of factors, but not very relevant to the discussion. Homeschooling, while having a lot of failures, also has a lot of successes but it is not tracked or assessed in the same way as a charter.

 

The thing I meant with the "con" of it being HSing is that while the schooling is done at home, it is still a public school. The charter schools have bad numbers. Homeschooling is perceived as giving your kids a better, individualized education. I think many parents who don't really understand the difference in the beginning are tricked into thinking that they are heading down the road of better schooling, no putting their child in a seemingly poor performing school.

 

Still the biggest factor is the $$ and the strings attached to it. It muddies the water by saying that a public school at home is somehow "the same" as a person going totally outside of the educational system. They aren't the same but if enough people regard them the same way for a long enough time, there is a possibility that people will no longer see the real distinction, and decide that HSing only has to do with WHERE it is done and not how or why it is done. It can accidentally erode the rights and regulations regarding the traditional meaning of homeschooling.

 

Does that make any sense?

 

I think that eschools are a good option, and I concede that I do not know CA laws, but have heard they are really a pain. In Ohio depending on the school, you might be able to choose some of your books, but mostly you would do what the school decides. You are given a computer, they pay for high speed internet access, you are given all the books, and depending on a few factors you are given $300-$800 per kid for covering some subjects outside (like music lessons, gym, whatever). You have to meet with a teacher (online) for assessments whenever they say. You need to log in a certain amount of time per day on the computer and they seem to be pretty good about having your kid be at different levels for different subjects, depending on their ability. There are days when I think about the perks, and I toy with looking into it seriously. I would definitely choose to go that route before a B & M school if I were unable to HS my kids properly anymore. Right now I am not willing to trade my freedom for the cash. Hopefully that will always be the case.

 

Homeschooling is NOT about where you school.

 

I have plenty of friends who eschool, who go to a bunch of HS functions. I don't discriminate against eschoolers. We all are in a similar boat. We as parents who are overseeing most of the day to day work have the same needs and questions and complaints. How we choose to educate is not very relevant: unschool, classical, CM, eschool.... but there will always be a difference between a HS "style" and public school at home. I have to follow certain regulations and comply with certain things that an eschooler never will.

 

I think I have rambled enough. I actually plan on handing in my notification and assessment for this year today and I need to tweak it.

[Truscifi]

Thanks for explaining it. :) It sounds like a lot depends on the rules of the individual areas and schools. Does anyone know if there is an eschool program in Florida?

[EKS]

Please elaborate: Why does using the term "homeschooling" muddy the water? How is "homeschooling" defined, or better, how do you define "homeschooling?" Why does accepting $$ negate the fact that a person is at home and educating their child at home?

 

 

In WA, "homeschooling" is a legal term (and I'd be willing to bet that it is a legal term elsewhere too) that means that the child is receiving his education at home and the education is fully funded by the parents. The child is not enrolled in any school, public or private. In WA we have parent partnership programs, which are public school programs where families educating at home get funding from the school district and meet with a district teacher regularly. Children enrolled in these programs are not considered "homeschooled" under the law; they are public school students. Also, if a child is enrolled in a public or private distance learning school or e-school, then legally that child is not being homeschooled.

 

Being educated at home and being "homeschooled" in the legal sense are two different things.

[Wildiris]

"Being educated at home and being "homeschooled" in the legal sense are two different things."

 

 

Thanks for the clarification. So I suppose in the "homeschool" community those of us who choose to educate our children at home via a charter school, independent study through a public school, virtual or a distance learning program somehow denigrate the whole homeschool movement by remaining both within yet outside of the system of public education and are destine to be treated with disdain by both the homeschool community and the greater public school world because we belong to neither group. We are neither authentic homeschoolers nor true public school supporters but relegated to otherness.

 

************************************************************

Yes, I agree that the services provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act should remain intact as well as bilingual education, only I think everyone should be treated as special. Yet with California's budget crisis triage dictates hard choices. I can't help but wonder when as Americans we draw our special interest circles and separate ourselves into smaller special interest groups that we forget that we are one people together or are we?

 

Again, thanks for the conversation.

[radiobrain]

Who here is treating you with disdain?

 

I have pointed out several times that I have no problem with eschooling as an option, it is just that there IS a very important distinction between it and homeschooling. In a very specific legal sense. It may *seem* like semantics, but it can end up being a slippery slope but those who are on this end of things need to be vigilant about being very clear on. It is not an attack against you or eschooling.

 

I am not judging you. I don't think anyone has here. It only needs to be clarified that there IS a difference between the way you choose to educate and probably a majority of people here. I don't think that the original question you asked was something that a lot of people on this forum could help you with. Especially as giftedness is it's own sticky wicket and funding is drying up everywhere for everything. I will find out in the fall (when our gifted enrichment program starts back up, and I get a chance to talk to school parents) if funding and resources are lost or rededicated in re. to the gifted programs. I think that the trend for a while will be to slash the programs. So I feel you might be out of luck to a certain extent... but again, I am in Ohio so what do I know!:D

 

I can see where you might feel neither here nor there... as you are essentially utilizing a hybrid-type of program. But you shouldn't. I think everyone should do what is best for their families and children. Every year I reassess everything. I am firmly committed to HSing, but if it stopped being a good fit, I would ditch it. I also think that it is important for ALL options to be available to as many people as possible.

 

Now see I am a minority, within a minority, within a minority.

 

Homeschooling. Minority one.

 

Homeschooling for educational, philosophical & social reasons. Not religous. I am totally secular. Minority two.

 

Homeschooling gifted kids. Minority number three.

 

Now lets not get into my political ideas, artistic endevours, parenting style, movies, books or music I like or feelings about society. :lol:

 

I rarely have a nook to fit into, and I have gotten to the point where I am ok with that. It started when I was reading at a middle school level at age 2, and now at 38... well....

 

anyway... sorry if you feel bad or ridiculed. I know that I did not intend it.

 

It's all good. :D

[Wildiris]

I think you misunderstood me. When I was speaking of the homeschool community I was not referring to you or the WTM boards, but rather homeschool organizations in general such as HSLDA or the folks at HEM (Home Education Magazine). They certainly frown on people who have chosen to use charter schools and perceive people like me who have chosen this avenue to weaken the homeschool movement. Really, I wasn't taking offense by anything you said so much as I was coming to realize that, for what ever the reason, I just don't neatly fit in, and like you, I find myself a minority within a minority for many of the same reasons. It is certainly nothing new, and my expectations are always out of line with reality which probably explains why I live in a forest and hours from town.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

[radiobrain]

GREAT!!!:D

 

(I still haven't bothered to figure out how to do quotes)

 

Don't feel bad about HSLDA, they are very narrow in their focus who they choose to help out. They will discriminate against a HSer who they do not agree with... that would be about religion or HS style (even if you are Christian, they don't like unschoolers or other more relaxed forms of HS). They are a private organization, that I personally dislike... but whatever.:tongue_smilie: Lots of people think they're swell so, C'est la vie!

 

Home Ed. mag is also pretty rabid about HS vs. charter school. But it is my impression that they are there to kind of counteract some of the HSLDA stuff, and they are VERY into HS freedoms, but more along the lines of unschooling, eclectic, CM basically any "style" that is a bit outside the box. you can still gain a lot of insight from the mag though.

 

In that respect, yes, you are in the middle but there is no reason you should have anything to do w/ HSLDA anyway, you wouldn't qualify.

 

I think that it isn't YOU or anyone using a charter who weakens the HS "movement" it is the mislabeling and misleading tactics that plenty of eschools/charters use to gain students, and henceforth $$$. This goes back to my first (or second, or third) post about "muddying the waters" it is not the people who use it, it is the people who run these schools.

 

This is so far away from your original question! SORRY!!!

:rolleyes:

 

Seriously though.. it's been great, but I'll shut my pie hole now.

:lol:

[skaterbabs]

They certainly frown on people who have chosen to use charter schools and perceive people like me who have chosen this avenue to weaken the homeschool movement.

 

 

IMO, this *can* be a potential outcome (law of unintended consequences anyone?) if those utilizing charter/eschools are legally confused with people not using those resources. This is because anything volunteered this year can be required next year.

 

So say John Smith's family uses XYZ charter school that requires a weekly meeting with a teacher and specific school-chosen curricula, but call themselves homeschoolers because Mom administers the lessons and they don't attend a brick & morter school. The powers that be see these "homeschoolers" using school-specified materials, and meeting with a school rep, and decide that ALL homeschoolers should do this, despite the fact that is the strictest sense of the word, the family is not home schooling. Now other families may be forced to follow this very narrow route because "that's the best way to homeschool", regardless of whether that option is right for that family.

 

I personally do not have a problem with eschools, and we may choose to use them in the future, but I do understand the slippery slope of calling e/charter schoolers, homeschoolers.

[rlowetx]

Okay, now I realize I'm going back to the original question but...

when we got the testing back regarding our sons "issues" last year and found out he was gifted, and in some areas highly gifted, we WERE very frustrated at the lack of funding for him. They kept testing him, and found him to have a slight speech disability...which YEAH, qualified him for services. When my husband and I started doing research on gifted children, the more we became aware that his "issues" were related to his giftedness. So when we talked to the school about meeting ALL his needs, they said that is not what they do...giftedness isn't dealt with until third grade, and if we wanted him to skip,.. then they could put him in that program.. but even then the program was a half hour a week pull out program - it did not deal at all with the asychronous-ness of the gifted child... thus he would continue to be a behavior problem... So I guess, what I'm saying I don't see a huge difference between helping both groups, my son's giftedness means he thinks totally different than the other kids his age, just like a child who has dislexia (sp?), or has Asperger's,..his gifted needs aren't met by just giving him some academics or a higher level reading book - it prevents him from socializing well with kids, it prevents him for "behaving" in a large group setting with lots of kids. With my son's behavior problems, he would've qualified for additional services had his IQ been just below the norm, as opposed to considerably above the norm. So we refused the services for his speech needs, because they aren't addressing the whole child (and the speech issue is DIRECTLY related to how his mind is receiving information). Anyway, from a public services perspective I do think if you're going to help one group - you need to help both groups, because both groups may need assistance in dealing with social norms or meeting academic requirements. But since the majority of our system thinks being a gifted kid just means "really smart", then they will never be looked at as needing help. I realize there are parents helping make a difference and administrators who understand the difference, but it is slow going and my kid needs help NOW... and thus, we are now at home.

[melmichigan]

Wow, if you are feeling in the minority, then I'm way off in space. My DD9 attends public school for speech services and for ELA to work on those said services. She homeschools her remaining subjects under a parial enrollment. Therefore I homeschool as a non-public school in my state, and am registered with said state. We are secular. The majority of my kids are GT. I hate to say, I don't fit in to the "norm" of homeschooling either. That said I think we are all trying to do what's best for our individual children and that is what matters the most.

 

I am finding this board so enlightening and really enjoying the conversations.:001_smile: Thank you. I would love to see some research in the future regarding homeschooling gifted children. I think it is becoming much more common than one would think.

[skaterbabs]

Actually, I agree with you, but unfortunately there exists in this country the idea that if you are in some way gifted, it's not fair to everyone else for you to get help with anything. Obviously we all know that giftedness doesn't preclude needing intervention on any number of levels, but often it means that regardless of what a child may need, simply being gifted means he or she is left to flounder through as best they can.

[Guest CipMic]

I would just buy as much as I could now. Im fortunate in that my two oldest have already went through highschool, graduated and working fulltime. Both are married; one is a parent of a son and one on the way.

I have 2 younger ones and I already have everything I need from the older ones. I suppose it wouldnt hurt to stock up more on pencils, pens, etc. We have dogs that think any dropped pen or pencil is a new chewy toy....

Depending on how long this crisis lasts in the future, we will also have my grandson and likely another grandson but dont know to homeschool...and one never knows when the other daughter has a baby.

I would place an ad on kijiji, newspapers, etc for homeschooling or educational books/supplies that families and/or teachers no longer need. Look in second hand stores--often I find things there. Or load up and print out now from sites from the internet.

We have an old set of encylopedias that we were going to get rid of....now it makes me think that I should hang onto them. They may be worth keeping yet........

[Joyful]

Actually, I agree with you, but unfortunately there exists in this country the idea that if you are in some way gifted, it's not fair to everyone else for you to get help with anything. Obviously we all know that giftedness doesn't preclude needing intervention on any number of levels, but often it means that regardless of what a child may need, simply being gifted means he or she is left to flounder through as best they can.

 

Yeah, I don't get that kind of thinking...

 

But your post made me think of a comment that my 5 year old DD made recently. I thought: that's funny, my kid thinks like that...

 

DH and the kids were discussing a made-up scenario of a contest among various fictional characters. And DD said, "but they cannot use their special powers in the competition, otherwise it would be unfair!" :001_huh:

 

So, maybe adults who think it is "unfair" to provide additional resources to the gifted students are utilizing similar "child-like" reasoning...

[Capt_Uhura]

Joyful...ah yes, that was in the movie "The Incredibles."

[skaterbabs]

Honestly I think that's exactly the reasoning. Clark Kent can't participate in sports because he's Superman.