Hi Dazy,
FYI, the clusters work great with MG (moderately gifted - top 3%ish)kids but aren't quite 'enough'for many HG and PG kids (except with a fabulous teacher who really didn't need it in the first place.)
The rule of thumb is that most teachers can 'differentiate' within the classroom if the child's performance level is within 3 grades of the classroom average.
Now, a kid with potential 5 grades above, might be functioning academically 'only' 2 grade levels above their classmates, be considered 'great' by the schools, and be miserable because they are underachieving. confusing, no?
Of course it's a lot easier to be a 1st grade functioning at 4th grade level than it is to be 10th grade functioning at a freshman year of college level. Certain exposure to material, and physical maturation is needed. What to do with these kids while they 'catch up to themselves' is always a problem.
Anyway, I would guess that if any real life schools could consistiently provide "gifted cluster" as described above,no matter what the child's readiness level was, that very children few would need gradeskips. Trouble is that it's easier to write about that kind of classroom than it is to find that kind of classroom. Classmates and Teachers who can keep us with HG and PG kids are few and far between, yes?
Love and More Love,
Grinity
