Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Regions "red" state: private school only option?

I clicked on the link "How gifted friendly is your state" and it came back red, which is the worst ranking. Is my only option to check out private schools? Thanks.

Some schools within a non-gifted friendly state may still have gifted programs. Private schools and homeschooling can also meet some gifted kids needs. I think it would be best to investigate the school option based on your child's needs. Sometimes school's gifted programs don't meet the kids needs. Sometimes a gifted Teacher thinks they know it all and will not be open to your ideas. There are many situations. There is lots of help here. I would start reading the Davidson Database and investigate schools.

A school that is willing to grade or subject accelerate a gifted child in a red state may be a much better option than the fully funded and staffed pullout enrichment program at a school in a green state, especially for hg-pg students.

thanks everyone. I am so new to all this and I appreciate insights from those who know more about how the system works.

Others on this forum have suggested that what on paper looks like a poor performing public school might actually be a good fit for a gifted kid in that the kid will stand out so much that it might be easier to ask for and get special accommodations. That is to say, the school might be less likely to give you the standard "all of our students are gifted" brush off. I don't know whether anyone has actually had this experience, but it always sounded convincing to me!

Personally, I think this can be very district/school/teacher dependent. We live in a relative gifted friendly state. In a district with a gifted magnet. But couldn't get my DS into the district magnet despite testing at the highest levels (selection is by pure lottery). Our very highly rated neighborhood school that tested 40-50% of their kids as GT just proclaimed they worked for everyone. But did nothing for HG+ out of the box kids. I know families of even MG kids that aren't thrilled with it, but are biding their time until jr. high or high school where there are more opions. That school is used to working with engaged high achievers close to grade level. I know other families in our district who are happy with the extra attention they are getting at lower achieving schools. It all varies depending on your child's personality and LOG, the teachers in question, etc.

Anyway, I would definitely look at ALL your options. Ask very directed questions.

Actually, acs had a lot of good to say about her son being in a school like that. Search for her posts and you'll find a lot of wisdom in how to keep your child motivated & learning in a public school that has less than stellar achievement scores.

Good luck! I'm in a state where gifted education is mandated by law but it still does us no good. My DS gets 90 minutes a week of enrichment (arts and crafts basically) and is still learning a few grade levels below where he needs to be. Because they offer enrichment they don't have to give him anything else.

Look into the schools that are around you and see what their attitude is towards gifted kids..especially kids that are grade levels ahead. Just because your state isn't gifted friendly doesn't mean that there isn't a great teacher or principal at a school near you that will bend over backwards to help your kid!

Thanks. I needed that encouragement. Sorry to hear that you aren't getting as much as your child needs. This is all new to me. My DD is only 3 so all we have encountered so far is preschool How old is your son?

My son is 5. You might be surprised at the people that want to and are able to help you!