Originally Posted by HowlerKarma
Originally Posted by Dude
I prefer the term "exceptional," because this term describes their unique abilities, personalities, and challenges all in one concise package.

Yup. Students with "exceptionalities." Covers everything outside of the mainstream needs, really, which is precisely why (IMO) gifted ed ought to = "special ed." It is "special" ed, and gifted students need those differentiations every bit as much as kids with other learning challenges do.

In my state (LA), the G/T program is considered to be on equal legal footing with special ed. The reaction was predictable: http://www.nola.com/education/index.ssf/2009/09/post_1.html

Quote
Concerned that money dedicated for disabled children is being used for gifted and talented services, the Louisiana Association of Special Education Administrators has recommended that gifted and talented education no longer be part of special education. It said these students should be placed in regular classrooms where all students are afforded the same learning opportunities.

"We question the ability of anyone to prove that a student with a 4.0 GPA needs special education services because his educational performance is significantly affected, " Susan Vaugn, the association's president at the time, wrote in a March 4 letter to the Louisiana Department of Education. "Rather, we believe that all students should have the opportunity to be challenged by curriculum and instruction that pushes them to reach their potential."

It's fun how she doesn't even notice her self-contradiction.