Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site houxe.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!security!genrad!grkermit!masscomp!clyde!burl!hou3c!hocda!houxm!hogpc!houxe!mel From: mel@houxe.UUCP Newsgroups: net.kids Subject: Re: "Talented and Gifted" program Message-ID: <462@houxe.UUCP> Date: Sun, 29-Jan-84 19:43:59 EST Article-I.D.: houxe.462 Posted: Sun Jan 29 19:43:59 1984 Date-Received: Wed, 1-Feb-84 01:29:52 EST References: <869@ihuxr.UUCP> Organization: American Bell, Holmdel NJ Lines: 16 One trap of the "talented and gifted" programs is that they form another track for progression through the school system. Miss out in getting into that track in 3rd grade and you are in trouble getting advanced classes all through school. In our town there was serious consideration given to a parent's suggestion that only kids in the "talented and gifted" program could be considered for A's on their 7th and 8th grade report cards ("After all, they were the only kids doing really outstanding work."). Considering how different kids are in their talents, gifts, and rate of maturation, I really object to the process of tracking kids on the basis of a few IQ tests and small sample teacher's observation. My quiet, competent, perfectionist daughter is just as bright as my "gifted" son, but faces only lower level, lower rated High School courses because she is slower and more careful on tests. Worse, one of the brighest, hardest working kids I know in town tracked out on the bottom (probably from kindergarten on) because he's black and poor. Mel Haas