Maybe I'm off my rocker (again!)...

DD got a letter from her school inviting her to participate in our talent search's above level-testing. We (DH, DD and I) are eagerly anticipating this testing. She did very well on previous above-level testing, and she really wants to see how she'll do.

The letter from the school advised parents to consider the down side of above-level testing. OK, I understand that not all the kids who take it will get awards or do as well as they'd like, and maybe for some kids, that would be a deflating experience.

But, I think the school should take the position that gifted kids need to take risks, and the school should encourage, not discourage, participation. I also think there are kids who will do better than they imagined, and for them, it might be a very positive experience.

I'm considering responding to the letter - though I'll probably keep my mouth shut as usual. I have tried to operate under the advice that my GT teacher gave me long ago - you have to take risks to grow academically (and generally). I'm shocked that the school would advise kids not to take risks.

Any thoughts before I respond to the letter?

I bet the warning language went in when someone complained about some negative experience. I think it's appropriate for you to suggest that the positives of taking above-level testing should also be included in their next letter.

Our son's been actively contemplating the spelling bee this year. He's feeling pretty confident because he's long been the TOP DAWG in his class having not missed any words on tests in three years (that I can recall).

I warned him, though, that he can't just roll out of bed and go compete -- he's gonna have to study his lists like the other kids. He laughed and said he didn't think so, but I think he'll see the light when the school provides the study lists.

I'd like to see him compete, not necessarily to win (alhtough that'd be a bonus) but so that he will see that if he wants to do well, he's gonna have to study. And assuming he advances beyond his school in the competition, I know he's going to face some genetically-engineered spellers that will be a real challenge.

I loved competing in the science fairs, knowledge bowls, academic decathlons, etc. And I know this is something he's going to have to discover on his own -- it would be tough to "force" him to want to compete (sorry about using that "f" word again).