DD is 7, did a grade skip in the middle of kindergarten, and is now in third grade. Our district has two different programs for gifted kids. One is "cluster grouping" which begins in third grade (before that they just do subject or grade acceleration--but I was told subject acceleration is "too complicated" so it was never really an option). DD qualified this year for cluster grouping. There were 3 other kids identified in her grade based on the CogAT (a horrible test IMO) and also achievement testing (a test similar to MAP). I was excited about her getting into the cluster group and it sounds good on paper, but upon talking to her third grade teacher it seems less than thrilling. They do the regular math curriculum, for example, at grade level. Doesn't matter if all the kids in the cluster are scoring 98-99th percentile on the math achievement test. So for math, she will give them "enrichment" math in addition to the regular math. For example, 5th grade word problems but nothing involving advanced computation. For reading DD has always been in a leveled group so this will likely be more of the same. The teacher claims that the kids will never be bored, but I don't see how this will be the case if they are forced to do the regular curriculum and it's not accelerated or compacted in any way. It sounds like it's mainly enrichment activities--how much this will actually amount to, I have no idea.
The second option in our district for gifted kids starts in 4th grade, and is a school within a school. For this, kids have to score in the 98th-99th percentile for both math/reading and also get a certain score on the CogAt (98th + percentile) to have the best chance of getting in. Let's just say that there are about 8 elemen. schools in the district that they are pulling kids from, and the GATE classes are probably only one class of 25 kids per grade. So not many kids get in. They take those on the top and work their way down.
I have to make a decision about whether to stick with this district or move on next year. We can open enroll to other districts and they take children from outside the district if they have space. The next district over is rated #1 for the state in US News and World Report.
Here is what it says on their website for gifted instruction (I know NO ONE In that district so don't even have other parents to ask).
"IDEA is an acronym that stands for Identifying for Differentiation, Enrichment, and Acceleration. This describes the way we strive to serve our gifted and talented students.
How does XYZ school district identify advanced learners? Students are identified if they need to receive advanced math or language arts instruction.
In the elementary schools:
XYZ school district uses multiple age-appropriate measures to determine placement in math and reading classes. Students that meet criteria will join a class that has been subject-accelerated. For example, in math, some of our students may be in third grade but studying fourth grade math standards with a third grade teacher. Other students better fit the criteria to study in a faster-paced, compacted class that focuses on the grade level standards that match their grade. A very few students will need to go to another grade level to receive instruction.
Placements are reviewed quarterly to make sure that students are still in a class that best meets their needs.
In the Middle School:
Multiple measures are used in the middle school to identify students for Honors English or advanced math placement. As in elementary, some students will need to go to another grade level to receive their instruction. There is also regular reviews to make sure that students are placed in courses that best meet their needs.
In High School:
Students can self-select classes that will meet their goals. To enroll in advanced options like AP, CIS or PSEO courses, students must satisfy all of the pre-requisites courses and any other requirements expected by the instructor or the college."
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I applied to this other district and will apply to the special GATE school as well if DD qualifies. Only about half of the open enrollment applications are approved, based on space, for the other district. Next spring, we'll just have to see how the cards fall and whether or not either place has an opening for DD. If it came down to DD getting into GATE here in this district, we would probably do that, but if it came down to this other district or remaining here in the cluster group, I'm not sure what I would choose. Does the gifted program in the other district sound better than the cluster grouping she is currently in?
DD has a younger brother in first grade I need to think about as well. He is 2e and has a non-verbal WISC score that is practically off the charts. We knew he was bright but had no idea he was that bright. His GAI is in the 99th percentile. A neuropsych found it as an incidental finding when I took him in for testing after a traumatic brain injury. He is very advanced in math and is ready to learn long division. He reads a couple grade levels ahead, but he scores pretty average in verbal ability and has problems with things like handwriting (he is dyspraxic).
So I'm wondering if anyone has any input into what this other district offers vs. our own and what kinds of questions I should be asking.
