We now live in a country outside of America where children attend day school then go to evening and weekend classes as well. There are 4th graders at the school who are doing middle school math, and this is not unusual. These kids are pushed and pushed and pushed. I am in a position where I can help create a gifted program (I will add I am not a teacher, but am in the interesting situation of being one of the few in the city with any experience in gifted education), but it will be tough as the idea of IQ testing or using the Woodcock Johnson achievement testing is unheard of. The school does use MAP testing, and the teachers are open to using above level assessments to see student's academic situation. We obviously should be meeting kids where they are, but how can you figure out the truly gifted vs. hot housed with limited resources (plus cultural lack of awareness of giftedness)?
