I appreciate Ms. Kelly's response, but I have to say I think it's just a lot
of words on paper.
First of all, I'd like to see a comparison of costs spent between the Gifted
and Talented Program and this new program proposed by the school. The new
program said it was going to reallocate resources. It was my understanding
that we already spent significantly more on the bottom tier of our students
than on the top. I'd like to know what the differences are. I'd like to
know where the money is coming from, who is going to get short changed, and
if this is a social problem we are addressing, why isn't the county ponying
up resources.
Secondly, I think we should see a side by side chart of what each of the
initiatives is about. I think you would see that much greater emphasis is
being target on family support, resources, training etc. is being spent on
this new initiative.
Thirdly, If there actually is a Gifted and Talented program it is absent as
far as I can see in implementation in the grade schools. And second grade
is way to late to start evaluating students. My daughter tested ready for
Kindergarten at age 3 and when I called the screening center all they said
was, "Uh, oh." I just gasped. She can't wait until 2nd grade to be
challenged, you'll lose her. Isn't this what we have found with the bottom
tier? If we are going to emphasis pre-school training for the bottom tier,
than we should do it for the top too.
I know this is hard. And I appreciate the strategic plan for moving test
scores up, but I guess all I'm asking for is equal protection under the
constitution. I know we have to help disadvantaged students, but we should
also be helping those who will fall through the gifted and talented cracks
because they won't be challenged and they'll get bored, have low test scores
etc. This is well documented. And I think it is interesting that test
scores are used so much in evaluating Gifted and Talented when it is clear
from the research that behavioral analysis and observation is probably even
more important.
So, I appreciate the long response about the schools plan, but I didn't see
it in my school tours and I want some hit the road facts and real core
discussion about why we are discriminating against the unspoken minority in
our schools.
Russ Peterson
Ward 9
Standish
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