One of the common myths of a gifted student is that he or she can thrive in any educational setting. Think about it this way: can a seed grow on its own, meaning without nourishment from the soil, water or sunlight? Not likely. That is why a gifted student requires education services that can help him or her grow. But just as each plant is different—some require more water and exposure to light more than others—each gifted student program is different in what they offer. Gifted student programs are offered in traditional public schools, magnet schools, homeschooling, charter schools and private schools. Each school’s gifted program has its own strengths, and parents must carefully consider the needs of their gifted child when selecting the best educational setting. Consider asking the following questions when selecting a gifted program or school that best meets the needs of your child:
What is the education philosophy?
This plays a huge role in fostering the learning aptitude of your gifted child. For example, a Montessori-based setting usually involves learning in age groupings; older students in the group help teach their younger classmates. A private or magnet school may have a stronger program in one attribute of giftedness over another, such one school may have a strong performing arts curriculum and another school concentrates more on science and math.
How does the program or school know when to raise a gifted child’s learning goals?
Make sure to understand how the school or program supports the readiness and advancement in a gifted individual; be wary of gifted programs that rely on a blanket-wide curriculum covering the entire age group.
How is student progress monitored?
Monitoring student progress is necessary for nimbly adapting and challenging gifted students. The school or gifted student program should show willingness to make changes to a student’s learning approach based on frequent monitoring.
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