What can I do? My first grader is not having her gifted needs met at our public school. She is only receiving challenging material for a short time period (15-20min) each day for reading and math. The remainder of the day is spent following the repetitive state standards for learning. She is in the gifted "Quest" program but only one day a week and the work they do is not substantial. She is on a 5th grade reading level and the teacher is accommodating with appropriate books, however, she's missing so much direct instruction on concepts that challenge her because the teacher does not have time. The teacher has the other 17 kids, some of which have trouble making the letter sounds. I'm supplementing at home with a 3rd grade phonics workbook because I wanted to make sure she had a strong foundation in phonics and that she knew all the phonics and spelling rules, even though she is a very fluent, quick reader who comprehends what she reads. I volunteer very often, thinking that it would allow the teacher more time with my child, but it doesn't. I also volunteer by providing activities or projects for the kids to enhance their learning and give them an enriching learning experience, purchasing and preparing everything in advance (i.e. her kindergarten class made snow (spangler science) and ice skated in socks on plastic with snow they made listening to ice skating music eating popcorn and hot chocolate dressed in hats/scarfs/mittens and made borax snow flakes which we hung from the ceiling, etc). But now, in the first grade, there isn't time for things like that, the teacher is so burdened and pressed to get these below level kids up to standard, that there's no time for anything but hammering those standards in the kids' heads. So, what can I do? I do not have a childhood education degree, but I am an educated woman with a doctorate in pharmacy. I've delayed my career as a pharmacist just so my kids could have the very best at home and in school. We tried private school for the 4 year old program, not too impressed. We don't want to keep them in a "bubble" because we don't live in a "bubble." The public school we have is a great school, new buildings, computers, great teachers, great principal, etc. I have to do something to make this work for my child if she continues in this public school. Can you give me any advice on what I can do? Form a support group for gifted? Write my legislators? Contact the GA dept of Education? What? I'm desperate.
Thank you for any help you might provide,
Jennifer

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I felt like the previous mother was taking dictation from me. Similarly, my daughter started 1st grade. She never attended pre-school, daycare or 4/5 kindergarten. We planned on homeschooling. Recent circumstances have drastically altered our plan (which was 8 years in the preparation and very tough to let go of). But we are running into the same situation. Our daughter reads above the level of her peers, has been exposed to math concepts that her classroom is nowhere near touching on and I wonder what she's actually going to learn anytime soon? I shudder to think that she will be left to "wait" till the other kids catch up to where she is at. I'd like to see her progress from where I know her to be now...not stew in a pot of mediocrity for some undetermined amount of time. I can't say she is "gifted" for sure, but I do know that her home instruction has her ahead of the game in certain respects. I don't know what to do either. While I'm certain the teacher is doing her best, she has 20 other children to oversee. I can't envision that my daughter will be afforded the stepping stones needed to progress from where she currently stands. I'm deeply concerned and feel there is little hope within the current system.

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As a new parent who is concerned about the No Child Left Behind program and the potential for more tax dollars to be tossed at this ineffective program, I wanted to get some of your thoughts on some ideas I have.
As a nation, we are spending more money than any other nation on education but falling further and further behind other nations in the level of education provided to our children. In my opinion, our problem is in the educational goal of our government. No Child Left Behind places too much emphasis on the lowest common denominator. If all you try to do is not lose, you'll never win. We should give more incentives to schools who develop strong AP and gifted education programs (win) rather than rewarding those that are able to get all students through to the next grade (not lose).
I propose the government provide 15 years educational funding for all American citizens (the citizen argument will have to wait for another day). If your child needs government funded pre-K...fine but that's one year. If your child can't pass 4th grade...take it again and that's another year. Your kid graduates high school a year early and didn't need pre-K...congrats, the government still owes 4 years of education funding - that's a bachelors degree (on a standard timeline) with no student loans depending on the amount the government covers and the school he or she attends.
This program would kill two birds with one stone. Schools will start providing better educational oportunities for our children and our young adults will not find themselves in the poor financial situation many of them do following college.
Any flaws with this idea you can point out to me will be appreciated.
Al

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