Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums GT Research Are gifted education programs a waste of money?

Viewing it in terms of money and test scores very much reminds me of the conversations of parents I hear IRL as well as online regarding NYC and the testing which everyone complains about. Here there is so much focus on what the gts get[i][/i] meaning the specials, chess, mandarin, Singapore math. Basically the argument is that if all kids had that stuff they would be doing better and love school too. There are two camps about that - the my kid deserves that stuff too camp - and the they all catch up in 3rd grade so it doesn't matter anyway camp. Some will focus on the they move faster argument, other on the depth argument. Here there is almost a rejection of the need while saying my kid has to have it. The lake woebegone effect as it were.

My personal view has changed so much watching the development of my kid. A year and half ago, I wanted a nice private because of the small class size, then I started to realize more was needed, so then the local gifted became my focus, then the citywides as each time my DS forced me to realize these options will likely not entirely serve him. But still it's better than being gen Ed, where he would always be waiting. What is the price for not waiting - if you look at private plane costs, apparently it's worth a very large sum!

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