Instead of charter schools why don't they have classes for gifted kids within public schools?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

That's how it was when I went. It keeps kids together regardless of how intellectually gifted they are.

[underpants]

1. We do.

Gifted. Specific vocational high schools (from nails to engineering). International Baccalaureate Program starting in 6th grade. Several option in high school for job training or for the university track either AP or earn an associates degree at a reduced price while in high school and then you are automatically accepted (with a 3.0 GPA or higher) to any state university.

That's the County we are in. Pretty good system.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

4. I oppose vouchers, of course, but I have no problem with public magnet schools

However I don't believe it's right to remove all the "smart" kids from the schools and leave the less "smart" ones. The "smart" ones can be good role models.

[MineralMan]

17. One of my hours in high school each day was a class called "tutoring."

During that hour, I worked with another student, one-on-one, who needed additional help to keep up. Small public school. My class was made up of only about 100 students.

[Bettie]

22. We did

that got wiped out with the last state budget cuts.

Most of the Special Ed did as well, though they still have a part time teacher for kids with learning disabilities.

I'm mostly just hoping that we still have high schools around here until my older ones graduate (Freshman and Sophomore).

[Orrex]

2. That's how it is in my public school district

[Greybnk48]

3. Their goal is to privatize schools for profit.

It's also a way to re-segregate our schools.

The old way was corrupted as well. Getting your kid into TAG in our area was tied to parents income as well; it was somewhat political.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. And it keeps money from being drained from the public schools

to fatten the bank accounts of for-profit charter school operators. When I was in school back in the Pleistocene era, there were advanced classes, and there were also some classes for the kids who weren't so advanced (although there was some social stigma attached to the "special" English classes because kids are mean). In my area there are a few charter schools that are actually reputable and do a good job for the gifted kids, but there are also a number of them that turned out to be just flat-out rip-offs. The public schools, if properly funded, could serve the needs of both gifted kids and those that need extra help, but somebody saw a way to make money by siphoning off public funds for charter schools that for the most part don't deliver better education than the public schools ever did.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

9. We have open enrollment in L A.

LAUSD’s Open Enrollment Process for 2013-14 is open from May 6 to May 24. For those interested in applying for a transfer to another school, please fill out the application.
We are pleased to inform you that the LAUSD’s Open Enrollment Process for K-12 students begins on May 6. This process, which is state-mandated, allows students anywhere in LAUSD to apply to any regular, grade-appropriate Los Angeles public school with designated open enrollment seats. Parents or guardians who want to enroll their child at a school other than their current school of attendance must complete an open enrollment application. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, May 24.

I have friends on this board and in real life who took advantage of it. For my real life friend it was a positive life changing event.

[NurseJackie]

6. Their real goal is segregated schools.

[pnwmom]

7. Many states do provide for this. n/t

[Mendocino]

8. Revised curriculum

Teaching of creationism/ID, rejection of evolution, revisionist history, abstinence programs.

Mold those young minds with RW dogma,

[LeftInTX]

10. We do in Texas

Two of my kids were GT and went to public magnet schools. (This particular magnet school was a school within a larger high school)
One tested National Hispanic Scholar on PSAT.

[ProudLib72]

11. AP classes and concurrent enrollment in college classes

Some of my students at community college are still in HS. They can graduate HS with an associates.

[mcar]

14. Those are great but they aren't gifted programs

Many districts here in FL have eliminated true gifted education with the excuse of IB, AP and dual enrollment.

Some gifted children take advantage of those programs, as do advanced and other students. They do not, however, address the unique social and emotional aspects of gifted kids.

[ProudLib72]

18. Agreed

The only schools near me with true gifted programs are in a very wealthy, very progressive city that can afford extra taxes for better (and more diverse) classes. I think of the AP and community college classes as a vocational track. Only the wealthy schools get the intellectual track. My niece is in one of those schools. At a time when most public schools are cutting back or getting rid of their art programs, her school has one of the best orchestras in the country. I just hope she realizes how lucky she is.

[mcar]

19. Yes

It depends on where you live, and the income of the district.

[JTFrog]

12. I was in the MGM program in California in the 70's.

Last edited Sun Mar 12, 2017, 03:51 PM - Edit history (1)

They did all kinds of "experiments" testing for psychic abilities like telepathy and precognition. But that was a very tiny part of the class and I never really thought about it until I was much older. And I even thought I might have made it up in my head when I did remember until researching and finding others that went through the same stuff in the program.

It was otherwise an excellent class. We learned advanced science, math and strangely enough music. We even went to a taping of the Mister Rogers show.

I have no idea why we lock kids up these days and try to make them all the same. Public schools should have programs for all students at all levels.

[mcar]

13. You are singing my song, DSB

I advocated for gifted education for years as I watched my two kids languish in public school.

[riverbendviewgal]

15. Ontario, Canada has that.

No extra costs .

[MineralMan]

16. They did in the 50s and 60s when I was in school.

Even in a small town of about 5000. Our public schools there had three tracks, based on abilities and test scores, from grade 4 through high school. While some kids shifted into different tracks, the system worked pretty well.

That school also allowed some students, who tested out of classes, to do self-directed study that was monitored by the teacher whose class they'd otherwise be in. That took the place of today's advanced placement system.

In my senior year, I didn't actually attend most of my classes, but did self-directed study in those subjects. I spent a lot of time at the school or local library, as well as tutoring other students one hour each day.

[kwassa]

20. They have gifted and talented classes in our district.

Which is huge and can offer many specialized services.

[Starry Messenger]

21. Charter schools are more of a mechanism for diverting tax dollars into Wall Street's maw.

There are a few that do what they say what their mission is, but the big chain ones are basically a money grab.