About a week and a half after school started this year, my son's teacher informed me that she was recommending him for the gifted program. While I haven't been thrilled with their 30 minutes a week, at least he seems like it's making him think, and he's enjoying it. Last night I took a tour of a magnet school where I am considering sending him, and spoke to the gifted teacher there. She told me that in this county, they don't recognize anyone as "gifted" until third grade. Instead, they have a "nurturing" program where kids whose teachers think they may be gifted see a separate teacher who isn't even trained to work with gifted students. Then at the end of second grade, they are tested for the gifted program. Okay, I know that every school system has different policies, and if my son can't be in the gifted program until third grade, so be it. I don't expect the whole district to change their policies just for one kid. But I admit I'm a little miffed that the teacher and administrators just flat-out lied to me. Probably to get me to shut up about the fact that my son wasn't learning anything in their school.
I'm entering both of my kids' names into the lottery to get into the magnet school next year. It's not perfect, but it has a much more broad curriculum and they will learn SOMETHING there, I'm sure. And, most importantly, the people who work there are honest about what they can and can't do for my children.
Anyway, no question or anything, just a warning to other parents. I can't imagine that lying about an imaginary gifted program is common practice, but it may be something to check into if you have suspicions.
