Online Community Reflection

This week on Teachers.net I read a post from a teacher who is at a school where the junior high / high school gifted program is in jeopardy of being cut. At this school, gifted classes are an elective and gifted students are forced to choose between attending a class with their gifted peers or being involved in activities such as band or drama. I guess because I teach at the elementary level, I really never thought about this. Thinking back to my own experience, after 8th grade there were no "gifted classes" I was pulled out for at the high school. I suppose someone could argue that A.P. and Honors classes are differentiated but I believe that gifted students should be able to attend a class that challenges their critical thinking skills and helps them develop socially. I think that it is a shame that the gifted program at this teacher's school is being threatened. This corresponds with the myth that gifted students don't really need extra attention. It is truly the opposite!