The higher the threshold you set for a gifted program, the more the identified children may need a different educational program, but the fewer the parents there are to support such a program. Therefore a relatively broad definition of giftedness may be politically inevitable if a gifted program is to survive.
Not entirely, because economies of scale. Magnet schools.
My DD's school only identified 2 kids her own age for G/T instruction, so yeah, the offerings were limited. But if the district were to concentrate services at a school, not only would they likely find 20 kids in the city schools for an all-day program, but they'd also attract homeschoolers (and their budget dollars) back into the fold.
That idea makes a lot of sense, which is why the district will never implement it, until someone successfully sues them for violating the state legislation guaranteeing the right of FAPE for gifted children.
