Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion (random thoughts: why bother with school?)

Hello -

Haven't posted in a while. Up until this point ds7/2nd grd was doing fine at his new school (or so I thought).

Well we had conferences recently and now I am wondering about the value of sending him to school each day.

in short:
1. he is ahead but, from what I see, not enough for a full grade skip
2. even in a charter school there is too much emphasis (for me)on standards, benchmarks, etc.
3. he is not bored or complaining but I see it coming. So far the curriculum has not been especially creative or inspiring. (most likely because of #2)

So what to do? Not sure. Mostly I am interested in hearing other folks' thoughts on the following: if we are going to be the ones teaching him at his readiness level (math, for example) why bother having him go? If you are afterschooling how do you feel about sending your kid to school?

Also, on a related note. what do kids really need to learn anyway? Sure he is capable of learning much of what the next grade up is learning. But why does he need to know division at 7? Really interested in hearing a range of opinions on this one.

Thanks!

EW