I had my education in 3rd world country in Asia. I did not remember all (so long ago). With my DDs in 3rd and 5th grade, I have renewed interest. When I visited back in October, I found that their curriculum is almost the same level as in Singapore Math which means we are behind 1 grade level (in Math). Their High school graduate at 10th grade and the students who graduated there did not have problem entering US colleges. (although those are selected few who excel academically).
I volunteered in elementary school and I know that some kids can't even do their grade level of current curriculum. Many schools do not have enough gifted kids to implement gifted program and some nuthead administration wouldn't recognize GT programs.
But the truth is that extra program cost more money (staffing, etc..) and many districts can't afford it especially in nowadays. After relentless advocation, our elementary school started Khan's academy for Mathy kids (who score 2 grades above level on SMI testing). It does not cost anything to the school and the kids go to the library and do Khan academy online when their class is doing Math.
The other solution should be each ISD create a school for gifted kids because there's no enough kids in each school zone.
