ADVOCATING FOR OUR GIFTED KIDS WATG Conference/October 11, 2013
Karen Ailsworth/
Two definitions of giftedness
1. The top 2.5 % of the IQ range
2. “…A greater awareness, a greater sensitivity, and a greater ability to understand and transform perceptions into intellectual and emotional experiences.” –Annemarie Roeper
Common Characteristics of Gifted People
Unusual alertness as early as infancy
Very good memory, “already knows”, learns things in 1-3 tries, often self-taught
Asks probing questions; goes what is beyond being taught
Wide range of interests (though sometimes extreme interest in only one area)
Unusual emotional depth; intense feelings and reactions; highly sensitive
Idealism and sense of justice appear at early age; concern with social and political issues
Longer attention span, persistence, and intense concentration
Impatient with self or others’ inabilities or slowness
Keen and sometimes unusual sense of humor, particularly with puns
Four Eye-Popping, Get-Their-Attention-Fast Facts
- Madison School District was successfully sued for not meeting DPI standards for GT education
2. 5-26% of gifted kids dropout of school (total dropout rate=5%)
3. 0.026% of the federal budget for education goes to GT programming.
Wisconsin Has a Law that Kids Receive Appropriate GT Education
Wisconsin Statute 121.02(1)(t): Each school board shall provide access to an appropriate program for pupils identified as gifted and talented - See more at:
MYTHS
Myth: Contests and field trips= GT education…GT kids need daily intervention
Myth: Kids need to earn the privilege of GT education…not by law. Also, addressing their GT needs may improve their behavior
Myth: The school alone identifies kids with GT needs…Parents and kids themselves are also good at identification
Myth: Your child is too shy/female/poor/dark skinned/clownish (fill in blank) for GT services…How is this related? Look at the test scores.
What Can I Do?
Nationally: Support Hoagie’s Gifted, NAGC financially
Write to your legislators re: GT education issues
Statewide: Join WTAG
Write to your state legislators re: GT education issues
Locally:Get to know one symapthetic school board member
Write letters of support for GT interevntions and or teacher(s) in your district. Send them to the paper , school board, and administration.
Go to a school board meeting when you know GT/curriculum/ budget issues will be on the agenda. All you need to do is listen. Speak up if you feel like it. Specific examples are good.
Your child: Join a parent group such as PTA or the equivalent.
Join or start a GT parents support group. Google GT parent support group or go on Hoagies to see what others are doing.
Join a SENG group.
Ask for a meeting with your child’s teacher/counselor/principal/GT coach/GT or curriculum coordinator. Tell them that your child needs something diferent. What is available? Give it a try. Followup after 2 weeks. If it’s not helping, find another solution-go up the chain of command, talk to other parents, go online for more ideas. If it is helping, thank the people who helped.
Recognize your child’s need for quiet or down time.
Name your child’s strengths for them. Turn negatives into positives.
Think outside the box with extracurricular activities. Where is the local talent? Is there a way my child can get together with like-minded indviduals of any age?
Things That Are So Obvious They Shouldn’t Need to Be Said…But Here I Go Anyway!
Be respectful- teachers and adminstrators are people, too
Be persistent- like dripping water, wear them down
Be strong in the courage of your convictions. There are more people who agree with you than you know. And you know more than you think.
Resources
Chart comparing high achievers, gifted learners, and creative thinkers
Advocacy resources , ,
Twice exceptional
“Quiet” by Susan Cain