Do you agree with me that it is unfair to have gifted programs in public schools?

Question

Hi Im in a gifted program in my middle school. Parents have to apply for their kids to get in and a lot of kids dont make it and wind up in the regular education program. Here's an example. One of my girl buddies is in regular ed life science with the same teacher that I have biology (note the name difference). For us we get to do experiments, the teacher shows us how math works into science, and we have a harder book. For her, they only get to do a few hands on things and watch a lot of videos, the book is a lot easier, and the teacher doesnt do math. I asked her to ask the teacher why he doesnt show them math like in the gifted classes. She told him how she knew and she said she knows me. The teacher gave her a knowing look and said he cant cover the math in science because it would slow the class down too much and he wouldnt be able to cover all the material. I think its wrong to put one group of kids at a disadvantage while giving another a better education.

Hi let me add one thing. A lot of people answered that its because maybe im more capable. That's not true. A lot of smart kids cant get in because they don't have enough space. The school claims that they are giving all children a rigorous curriculum. I DISAGREE. Oh on a personal note one of my grandmas said she never believed in reincarnation until she met me. She said that I'm just like her grandmother, a real firebrand. Her grandmother came to this country and helped organize the garment workers union and than joined the communist party. My grandma only knew her when she was older but said even than she was a firebrand.

I'm going to extend this question. I don't understand why no one seems to agree with me that allowing one group of students to experience a richer education is not wrong. One person said that it would not be fair to slower students to be in a faster paced class. Another person said the teacher should just teach different students of different abilities at their own pace in the same classroom. (That teacher would have to be superman) I have a boyfriend Jamie who is a Learning Disabled Student. I love him. Once some girls I know were talking and Jamie was with me. He tried to say something. They called him "Becky's stupid boy toy". After that I realized what is really important in life and its NOT the gifted program.

Answer 1

There is nothing wrong with it at all. If someone is more advanced than someone else, they should be in a more advanced class. Otherwise, it is unfair to that person that he/she should have to remain in a lower form of education because advanced classes do not exist.

Unfortunately, education in america is lacking almost to the point of no return. If we can save a few kids by getting them the education they need and can handle, that is better than losing all of them.

Answer 2

I'm in a gifted program too. Programs like these give gifted people a challenge so that they can achieve to their highest potential. In my school, the gifted students actually learn less than the regular students because they have to cover 4 years in 3. But in the way you're putting it, it seems that the regular kids aren't getting the education they need which I do think is unfair.

Answer 3

People learn at different rates. It is sweet of you to be worried about your friends education. It would be wrong of the teacher to teach the same material that you are learning to the other kids because it would leave other children behind. In high school it gets alot better because they have many programs from AP classes and gifted programs. Consider your self lucky to be in a gifted program.

Answer 4

Studies have shown that students learn at different rates. So it makes sense to have gifted and talented programs, hence the Charter schoos all over the country focusing on Science and math and the Arts. One thing that is unfair in your overview is that the teacher told an outright lie to a student.
What about students who take longer to learn a concept? Do you want them to be frustrated all the time because the course is moving too quickly? Everyone learns at different tempos and everyone learns different materials in different ways. What should truly be happening , is that that teacher should be differentiating their instruction by each class based on the skills of the sutdents within them, not by the titles they are given.

Answer 5

gifted program = bigger glass = bigger capacity

regular = reg glass = may be just enough


no, sorry i do not agree. i was in a gifted program to when i was in school. gifted program is not for everybody. i also did not recognize this because i wasi n the gifted program and was surrounded by smart people all the time. until the accidental fire where we had to accomodate few students from the regular class and they were supposedly the smartest among them. they were complaining that the teachers where not solving the problems step by step. i know you will soon realize this truth. not everybody have the same capacity and capability for learning. i understand u feel responsible for others education, after all we are our bothers' keeper.

Answer 6

I disagree that this is unfair. My son is in GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) in his middle school. I did not send him for tests, I did not apply, they put him in the classes because his teachers all noticed that he was bored, already knew the material, etc. etc. I know it seems unfair that your friend isn't getting the "same" education as you are, and her not being in a gifted program doesn't mean she is not smart, or not capable of learning what you are. It just means she has not quite reached that level yet, and she will, when the time is right for her.

Answer 7

my son attends gifted class in his school. he only goes for a day out of the week, so its not like he's getting a better education than the rest of the students. some kids need some extra creative work to stimulate them. my son flies thru his regular classwork and is bored. why are you complaining about it so much when your in the program? if you think its so unfair, then get out. they also have AP classes in high school, do you think they should do away with those too just because some students are at a different level. you can't hold kids back just because they are a little more intelligent.

Answer 8

The "rate of return" from the very small amount of resources invested in gifted programs is very great, measured in how taxes & inventions & other contributions gifted citizens make to society.

I agree that it is unfortunate there is not more done, but don't worry. That's just in the US. India, China, Japan & other countries are improving their educational systems as they have the money to do so, so gifted programs will at least fluorish in other parts of the world.

;-)

Answer 9

Just be grateful your school has gifted classes. My school has a gifted program that I'm in, but absolutley no classes for me. I'm very good at math, but I hate my math classes because they go so slowly. So just be happy about the situation. Things will get better in high school because you could probalby have the same classes.

Answer 10

No -- what's wrong is that they push kids through before they ought to be. All kids should be afforded the opportunity to have that type of learning experience, but at the appropriate level. The issue is that they do social promotion, instead of promotion and placement based on skill/ability/knowledge and maturity. There's nothing wrong with having your gifted class. What's wrong is that the kids who don't make it have to suffer through at the lowest common denominator level. That's wrong. The teachers need to stop dumbing everything down.

Based on your added details, I do not believe you are fully reading/comprehending everything that people are saying.