Thanks Grinity, Minniemarx and Katelyn'sMom - I look forward to chatting here.
MinnieMarx - yep it seems that we just don't have the girl recipe lol
To answer Grinity's questions: Both my parents and I and all my family grew up here. Our educational system has changed a LOT since I was at school, and it's changing again.
Lately the public schools have been using an Outcomes Based system. That has failed terribly and is now being phased out.
The level of public schools differs greatly from area to area and it's no secret that education is grossly underfunded here. Our teachers are underpaid and in some areas will have up to 40 (or more!) mixed-ability learners in their class. These schools in the poorer areas often have a serious lack of facilities and even a lack of textbooks.
Our teachers are in a union, which means strikes are a regular thing - when the union strikes they will attack any teachers still going to work, and will even try to get into the private schools to do damage there.
Since the majority of families here have both parents working, most kids usually go to day mothers/play groups/nursery schools until they start Grade 0(your kindergarten). Some private schools offer pre school from age 3 and up. It's law that all children HAVE to be 6 turning 7 the year they start Grade 1 in both public and private schools. Grade acceleration is frowned upon by and large as it is seen as a separatist and exclusive idea - and if you know our history that's still a touchy subject.
Some people are lucky and there are a few schools that they will be zoned for and then they can choose the better ones. If you live outside the school zone, you can apply and go on a waiting list. But no guarantees on getting a place. The best public schools fill up fast, but they do not accept advanced registration. It's very frustrating and a LOT of middle class families end up going into debt or stressing about finances to rather pay for private education.
Some private schools use the IEB (independent education board) system, others use the Cambridge system. These schools generally have gorgeous campuses and great opportunities in sport, cultural and academic activities.
But that is not always better - although most of them have all these great things and so forth, the kids from both public and private schools end up at the same tertiary education facilities and many people question if there really is a difference in what the kids learn. At private schools there is also fabulous assistance for kids that are behind, on campus educational psychologists, occupational and speech therapists etc. Kids who struggle will be given extra attention in class and extra assistance.
Unfortunately, there is almost zero allowance and even tolerance for even the word "gifted" in the majority of schools and even within our society. There are only two schools in the country that are specifically for "high-potential children". These are private schools and quite expensive. There is, however, a lot of work being done here by the woman who founded the school that my oldest son attends - she is starting to have success in one area and some private schools are starting to phase in pullout programs and starting to allow for differentiated learning for accelerated learners.
It bodes well for the future, but for right now the majority of gifted children either end up hating school etc or being home schooled.
Hope that's enough of an overview! lol! Feel free to ask more questions if you need to.
And to making new friends too!
