🚀 go-pugleaf

clin@eng.umd.edu (Charles Lin) writes:


>In article <1993Jan7.235227.26013@julian.uwo.ca>, roberts@gaul.csd.uwo.ca (Eric Roberts) writes:
>>What kind of exams are used? I hope they don't use IQ tests....

>    I don't think they use IQ tests.   Perhaps someone whose gone to one of these
>schools can tell us.

>--
>Charles Lin
>clin@eng.umd.edu

I have a son who was accepted into a magnet program in Michigan befor we
moved to Seattle.  As parents new at this game called school (my son is
now in the first grade) we had no clue what a magnet program was.  His
kindergarten teacher was the person who recommended our son for testing.
Testing was open to any person in the district who wanted it.  The
testing included various academic tests plus an IQ evaluation by the
district phycologist.  I think it is important to know that the IQ test
was not the exclusive test, but was an essential part.  Other criteria
used was behaviour observations by the current teacher, and an extensive
questionare filled out by the parents.  This was perhaps the most
interesting part for my wife and I.  We found that some of the ways our
son was acting, was a clue to the level of academic talent he has.

After he was accepted into the program, the district had many meetings
for the parents about what this adventure was all about.  We were warned
about developing an "elitist" attitude about our son.  As it was
explained, he has a different way of doing things than other kids.  This
is what scares me the most when I hear people talking about the "smart"
kids, and how much better they have it.  These children have a special
need just as much as the mentally handicapped children in special ed
programs.  An academically talented child needs to have challenges and
be offered a method to explore the world at an increased pace.  The
repetition of a normal classroom, in a lot of cases, causes the child to
be disinterested in school, and often they are labeled "stupid".

In another post someone stated that they felt the PUBLIC FUNDS should
not be used for these progams.  I could not disagree more.  My son has
just as many needs as any other person, and I contribute to the public
school system in my community, so why shouldn't this program be funded
through the public funds.  Try to take away a special ed program from
public funding and hear the cries of discrimiation and such.  It is the
same thing for academically talented children.  They have a need for
special programs.

Well, enough of my soap-box-preaching.  I will be interested in the
upcoming posts.



--
     Wayne Porter -  porterw@c4west.eds.com or porterw@ug.eds.com
     
     "It's true, Hobbes, ignorance IS bliss! ... The secret to happiness 
      is short-term stupid self-interest"     - Calvin -