re: Testing your kids for Gifted/Talented classes

My wife is a gifted teacher. Based on what I’ve learned from her over the years, you need to have you kid tested.

Gifted kids are part of special education because they need accommodations to help them be successful in the classroom. They learn differently, solve problems in creative ways, and grow bored very easily. Gifted kids are also prone to experiencing social anxiety and having delays in social skills development. This is why you hear that gifted kids are sometimes the “weird” kid.

Not having your kid tested doesn’t mean they won’t have the weirdness. They just won’t have the outlet to be who they are in a classroom setting. While gifted kids are often seen as more intelligent, my wife is the first to attest that gifted kids can have significant struggles learning in the classroom.

When I was teaching high school, I had a student that was one of my worst performers. Came across as lazy, barely able to read, and unable to put thoughts on paper. Found out he was gifted and I saw some of the projects he did in his gifted class. It was like looking at the work of a completely different student. He just never developed the ability to sit still, listen to a teacher, read for understanding, do class work, and take tests. He was identified very late and only was identified as gifted after being screened for special ed - the learning disabled/mental retardation kind of special ed.

Gifted kids who don’t get the kind of instruction and creative outlets they need often do find themselves struggling through life. One of my wife’s biggest worries is about her students turning to drugs later as gifted kids are more prone to drug use.

Just remember that it isn’t a competition. Gifted doesn’t mean they’re better and it’s not like applying for some Mensa program. And not testing them doesn’t mean they won’t be gifted.

Wow, even this turned into the typical OT lie thread. Of course, everyone here was in gifted.

You sound like you are just worried the test results will say your offspring is not gifted, thus reflecting poorly on your gene pool...

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There must not have been many if you know how all of them are doing.

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You're right. I used absolute language. I should have said most. THere are a couple who are doing great.

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Wow, even this turned into the typical OT lie thread. Of course, everyone here was in gifted

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Well, to be fair, people who are gifted would tend to flock to this thread based on the title.

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Being in gifted doesn't mean you're some math genius that's never talked to anybody. 95% of the time, they are simply students that, while sharper than average, just have better study habits and had better parental support from an early age. They mingle with geneal population socially, play sports, etc.

Dirty little secret...the classes aren't even that much more difficult.

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Students are admitted based on IQ and other tests, grades in previous classes are irrelevant. ONe benefit is the opportunity to tailor the "difficulty" of the material to the individual student's ability and interests.

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You sound like you are just worried the test results will say your offspring is not gifted, thus reflecting poorly on your gene pool...

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You got me. I'll hate my son if he isn't gifted.

Your kid isn't special

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My daughter's school suggested we have her tested for GT in 2nd grade. She ended up being the valedictorian and is majoring in chemical engineering.

GT added a few hours of math and science per week. For most of her elementary she was pulled out of regular classes a few times a week. This, along with heavy parental involvement, made her want to learn more.

I say do it.

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Thanks for the info.

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You got me. I'll hate my son if he isn't gifted.

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I know you're looking for serious responses now, but your OP came in a little hot. You said it was bullshite and gifted kids are weird.