Despite increasingly stringent federal regulation of public education, the individuals who influence children’s education most directly may be local school board members. As elected officials, they represent their constituencies at the grassroots level, balancing their districts’ needs against state and federal regulations and setting the tone for public schools throughout urban and rural school systems all across America. … [Read more...] about The Makings of an Effective School Board
Advocacy
Choosing the Right School for Your Gifted Child
Ned’s parents found themselves begging for greater challenges for their son from a school that prided itself on its “challenging curriculum.” It set a pace six months faster than other schools, but Ned’s abilities went years beyond that. They decided to switch to a school that raised the learning bar when individual students were ready by using flexible, small groups. Ned was challenged academically, and his social relationships soared. … [Read more...] about Choosing the Right School for Your Gifted Child
Contracting for Success: Charter Schools Offer Choice
Since the first one was approved in Minnesota 14 years ago, charter schools have become established in 37 states. As of 2003, almost 2,700 charter schools had opened, offering an alternative in education. … [Read more...] about Contracting for Success: Charter Schools Offer Choice
Needed: Parent Advocacy
The United States needs to develop the intellectual potential of its next generation to remain competitive in the world of tomorrow. Our top students generally do not perform as well as their counterparts around the world. Yet our public education system seems to neglect excellence as it stresses proficiency. For these reasons, effective advocacy for gifted education is crucial. … [Read more...] about Needed: Parent Advocacy
Standards-Based Education
Parents of school-aged children have been inundated in recent years with discussions of standards and end-of-grade testing. While standards themselves are not new, much of the current emphasis on testing and standards-based education has grown out of the 2002 enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), federal legislation designed to ensure that all children perform at grade level in reading and mathematics by 2014. … [Read more...] about Standards-Based Education
Attaining Grade Advancement
Our 15-year-old son, Tyler, was identified as highly gifted shortly before his fifth birthday. Since then he has attended both private and public schools in three different states. As parents, our biggest challenges have been selecting the right schools, ensuring proper placement, and obtaining needed support services for him. Tyler is now a well-rounded 10th-grade honor student and athlete. But we have faced obstacles along the way. … [Read more...] about Attaining Grade Advancement
Providing for Gifted Education through the No Child Left Behind Act
In 2002 the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) was overhauled with a decided slant toward accountability, that is, toward making school districts responsible for students’ learning. For the parents of gifted children, the reality of this legislation (known historically as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act) is that it is clearly not designed for their children. The act’s provisions and funding are directed primarily at evaluating students who are deficient in basic skills and at eliciting a … [Read more...] about Providing for Gifted Education through the No Child Left Behind Act
Using the ERIC Website and Database
Making decisions about the education of a gifted child is not easy. Parents often are not familiar enough with the research on gifted education to make informed decisions. The Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) database and related services offer help. … [Read more...] about Using the ERIC Website and Database
State Governance of Gifted and Talented Education: What’s Up with Your State?
Do you know your state’s policies regarding gifted education? Do some states do a better job of addressing the needs of their brightest students? Who oversees gifted education in your state? If you do not know, a recent survey of practices nationwide may provide you with a useful overview. … [Read more...] about State Governance of Gifted and Talented Education: What’s Up with Your State?
Minority Children in Gifted Education: A Problem and a Solution
Most parents know that school administrators use intelligence tests to identify gifted children. What most parents do not know is that the content of these tests can have a powerful influence on who is identified as gifted and who is not. The tests can block minority children, especially those with limited English-language skills or limited preschool experience, from admission to special programs, or they can be the keys that let these children in. It all depends on which tests are used. … [Read more...] about Minority Children in Gifted Education: A Problem and a Solution