Some parents in the Emporia school district are concerned about the No Child Left Behind Act — they’re worried that gifted sons and daughters are the children who are being left behind.
“It is frustrating to see the kids who have great potential bogged down by what is currently considered politically correct,” said LuAnn Gilkison.
Gilkison said that teachers are assigned to work with children who are learning English or have handicaps to overcome. The youngsters at the other end of the bell curve, the gifted or high-achieving students, need special attention to make sure they are challenged and reach their potential.
“We have one teacher for the gifted kids in every school level,” Gilkison said. Her daughter, she said, “was getting burned out from assisting teachers in grading papers.”
Gilkison asked that her daughter be tested for the gifted program, and said she felt that “they did not have the resources to help her.”
Gilkison transferred her daughter to Turning Point Learning Center, a charter school, for her eighth-grade year.
“It is much better because she has an energetic, “think-out-of-the-box” teacher. … She can learn at her own speed.”
But Turning Point has its drawbacks, she said.
“The sad part is there is no bus service for these kids,” Gilkison said. “Parents shuttle them back and forth to chorus, etc., at the Middle School. There is no hot lunch program… They have to pack a lunch. School items have been donated because of the limited budget.”
Tim Wright also is disappointed. Wright was in Emporia’s gifted program as a student under the supervision of Pru Schmidt, then a teacher in gifted education. Wright studied advanced courses both independently and in classes, and he completed them. Now his son also is enrolled in gifted education, but sometimes it feels as though the child is being punished for intelligence, rather than encouraged.
“He misses recess every time he goes to gifted class,” Wright said. “His teacher tells me that people who are more capable than others just have more responsibility and miss out on things and that’s just life.
“(He) also has completed an assignment before the instructions were done — because he already knew what to do — and had the student teacher tear his paper up,” Wright said. His son is frustrated almost daily as he waits for all of the students to receive instructions that he does not need.
“Of course he can’t go ahead and do it without the instructions,” Wright said.
Jennifer Ratzlaff said she is frustrated because she believes the school system is not challenging her two children who have been identified as gifted.
“Our frustration came in kindergarten when his teacher would not test him and would scold him for answering all of the answers,” Ratzlaff said. “So, he shut down on us for a while. … He would not answer questions and would intentionally answer questions wrong so as not to draw attention to himself.”
His first-grade teacher had him tested for the gifted program, and he was able to meet for 20 minutes twice a week with a teacher of gifted students, she said.
Ratzlaff prefers that the children be challenged. Her third-grade daughter, who reads at a seventh-grade level, goes to the computer room or reads a book while the rest of her class learns phonics. The girl also meets for gifted studies twice weekly.
“This makes me question, ‘Are schools meeting every child’s needs?’” she said. “If my child was having difficulty reading or in math, then she would have a para working with her to get her to do well on the state assessments.
“But there is no teacher or para working with my child on a daily basis to challenge her. … Even now on her report card they will not put her real reading level because they have a cut-off. She can’t be higher than a certain letter, equivalent to a reading level, even though she is far above it.
“What does this say to my daughter? We push other children to hit a certain level but if you excel we can’t recognize you for this.”
Damon Stone, father of two gifted students, prefers to think of No Child Left Behind as “No Child Allowed to Excel.”
“I feel all children need a good education, but trying to educate all children to the same level makes no sense to me,” he said. “… If I hire an electrician, then I would like him to understand the tools of his trade. I don’t care if he knows calculus or can speak German.
“The point I am trying to make is this: I feel we should concentrate our efforts on educating children to their individual abilities. … Educating all children to the same level places undue stress on the underachievers and prevents overachievers from reaching their potential.”
Stone said that the special education budget is only a small part of school funding, and that an even smaller amount is spent on enrichment classes.
“I find it disturbing that schools spend large sums of money on athletics and such a small amount on enrichment programs,” Stone said. “We can build new locker rooms and gymnasiums and allow enrichment teachers to work out of small rooms, often sharing … with other ancillary service personnel.”
He questioned why “copious amounts of time” are spent teaching athletics while minimal time is spent teaching gifted students.
Stone offered suggestions to relieve the problem, beginning with the elimination of No Child Left Behind.
He compared No Child Left Behind to farming. For many years, he said, he had believed that farmers used fertilizer to increase the yield of poor soil. Only in recent years had he learned from his father-in-law that fertilizer is used to maximize production of the most-fertile soil.
“Applying the same concept to education, we should maximize the production of our most gifted and talented students,” Stone said. “Does the educational system even remotely follow that concept? Not at all.”
Start by treating students as individuals and teach them as such, he said. Allow students to learn and progress at rates commensurate with their abilities.
“Teachers should be available for questions and direction, but computer aided instruction should be the norm. Put a computer in front of every child and allow them to excel.”
A multi-level approach to career path education would allow students to choose their career paths and base study upon those choices, he said.
Stone said, he wants to see increased funding for enrichment services to help make sure that the high achievers reach their potential.
“I believe we should provide funding to train our future leaders to solve the problems of future generations,” he said.
Stone offered a final thought on the problem and the financing.
“This one is probably ‘way out there, but here goes,” he said. “… Really push intramural athletics for all students for the entire time they are in school, then pick the best athletes for traveling teams,” he said. “Athletics shouldn’t be a class. Our emphasis should be on participation in athletics to maintain a healthy mind and body. I feel we need to teach and stress to children the benefits of a healthy life style.”
wildrose (anonymous) says...
In response to LuAnn Gilkison's comment, "It is frustrating to see the kids who have great potential bogged down by what is currently....." As a parent of two very different, although gifted children, I find it outrageous that Mrs. Gilkison believes "gifted" children are the only ones who have "potential". It is my personal belief that parents should be the first and constant educator in their child's life. My responsibility as a parent is to encourage my child's educational growth beyond their public school education. I do not leave my child's entire education process to the public schools. As a parent of gifted children, it is my duty to foster their imaginations and help them gain knowledge beyond the average school curriculum. I have been given these children and I should be accountable for their nuturing as well as challenging their minds through activities and practices other than what they obtain from a regular school day. Get off your butt and find different ways to stimulate your own child and quit blaming the American educational system for your child's boredom. As for the lack of bus service and a hot lunch program, this is indeed a shame. However, I feel this it not a significant concern compared to other, more meaningful issues the school system faces each day. It is also a shame that school supplies are not adequately being provided for this program. This sounds like a wonderful opportunity for these students to use their "potentials" and maybe even solve this problem themselves.
February 6, 2007 at 1:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
doggiesrule (anonymous) says...
wow! I agree that all parents should work to supplement their kids' learning, but the fact is that many people don't. Some people can't. Not all gifted kids are from affluent, white families (some people may think these families can do more for their kids). Besides, if I'm paying taxes to the government, then my kids should be receiving a full day's worth of education. period. Besides, many seem to supplement with activities other than academics and then that goes by the wayside.
Yes, our schools do have a lot to deal with. However, our gifted kids should not be ignored just because they can learn faster and/or deeper. Yes, all students do have potential. We just want to see ALL kids being able to use their full potentials. Why ignore these kids needs? It seems so "Harrison Bergeron!"
February 7, 2007 at 1:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wildrose (anonymous) says...
Who or what is Harrison Bergeon?
February 12, 2007 at 2:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
4_Emporia (anonymous) says...
The point is that our children, at whatever level, are being short changed. Enough said, we need change!
February 12, 2007 at 3:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
doggiesrule (anonymous) says...
Sorry--was out for a bit.
Harrison Bergeron is a short story written in 1961 by Kurt Vonnegut (recently deceased). You can find it here: http://instruct.westvalley.edu/lafave... It's actually a pretty quick and easy read, well worth the time! :)
Here's a short description from eNotes: A futuristic story dealing with universal themes of equality, freedom, power and its abuses, and media influence, ‘‘Harrison Bergeron’’ continues to evoke thoughtful responses about equality and individual freedom in the United States.
And yes, 4_Emporia, I agree wholeheartedly! I personally work every day to make a change in education! :)
April 18, 2007 at 9:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
I am an old codger who recently retired at the age of 60. Today's "no child allowed to succeed" mentality exists and breaks my heart. I went to school in the 1950s and 1960s and received an education FAR superior to the children of today. I grew up in Topeka and attended public schools there. Even as 1st or 2nd graders, we were expected to learn, work hard, and excel. It was survival of the fittest; keep up or stay behind. Nearly every year as we graduated and moved on one of our classmates stayed behind to try again. The bar for performance was set based on excellence and students were expected to hit that mark. Today, the bar is lowered to the performance level of the weakest few students. In the late 50s, as I entered Jr. High (7th grade), I was part of an experimental program. Instead of restricting "smarter" kids or moving too fast for "less gifted" children, the top layer of students was trimmed off and moved forward. That is, 26 kids coming from 6th grade into Jr. High were put into an "elevated" class together and moved directly from 6th grade to 8th grade, skipping 7th grade altogether. We moved to every class together as a group; every day for all three years of Jr. High. As a result, we were allowed to move forward at our pace, not the pace set by students less capable. I loved the program and feel I got a better education as a result of it. I also graduated from high school with 12 extra credits. I could have graduated early but I didn't want to miss my senior year as captain of the football team or deny the the incoming group of cheerleaders my company! The point is: at one time the goal of our educators was to constantly raise the level of learning and achievement. Today the goal is to slow down the process and dilute the material until all can keep up. I am appalled by the knowledge level, actually lack thereof, of students being cranked out of our schools today. For the last 30 years I have interviewed and hired hundreds of people, mostly college graduates, the majority of whom couldn't spell, punctuate, or write a complete sentence. They knew even less about American history, geography, or math. Students from other developed countries in the world laugh when shown cirriculums and tests from their peers in America. I participated in sports while in school. The best and most motivated players set the standard for the team, not the weakest players. Imagine the results of a sports team based on the logic of "no child left behind". If America is ever to return to it's once predominant position in the world, or even survive, we need to teach our children what they need to know at a pace set by the best, not teach them only what the few weakest students can absorb at the pace they can absorb it. To lower education to the level of mediocrity produces mediocre results and benefits no one, especially our students.
February 21, 2008 at 1:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporialifer (anonymous) says...
I have to agree that we are short changing kids these days. By lowering our standards for all, we are actually hindering them from excelling. I always think back to one phrase that I think is so important for kids to learn as early as possible and unfortunately it seems some adults need to learn it too, but "life isn't fair". Granted I'm not saying that we shouldn't do everything in our power to help kids succeed, but not every child is going to succeed - that is just the way the world works (there is a bell curve for a reason). Not every child can make the team, not every child can get an A - and they need to learn this otherwise what kind of rude awakening will they have as an adult when they see that not every adult will get that job or can afford that car, etc. What we can teach kids is work ethic.
I actually had a professor in the Education department tell me that a school district would be more likely to fire a teacher who was tough and fair, but failed a couple kids year after year, than an easy teacher that let everyone slide by without failing anyone. Kids have to learn that they get the grade they deserve or at least that is the way it should be. It is their choice to study for a test, do their homework, etc. I realize there are all kinds of special circumstances with learning disabilities, testing anxiety, etc., but my point is that kids need to know it is THEIR choice whether or not they succeed - they shouldn't blame others for their failures.
I'm very disturbed by what the teacher told Mr. Wright. I can't believe the school system does not recognize that by taking away recess time for the gifted program they are in turn "punishing" the child.
February 21, 2008 at 3:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jaredfromsubway (anonymous) says...
Good point E-lifer. You must have been fortunate enough to take advantage of these "gifted" programs, seeing not many Emporian's I know use "bell curve" properly in a sentence.
February 21, 2008 at 9:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
imgone (anonymous) says...
Approx.50 years ago I remember a well respeced local gentleman stated to a group of us " We will always be taxed in the name of education." Year after year that is our politicians and educationers theme. We are getting less for our education dollars now than ever before. Just visit a classroom, I have, and its a zoo. No wonder students have homework [or should have] because they are not being taught in the classroom.
February 22, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lycomu (anonymous) says...
I do not have any answers. My two children were both in the gifted program in the Emporia School District. They both went to KU on a full scholarship and both graduated from college with honors. I am supremely lucky, this is i know. I spent a great deal of time with both of them, helping them with their studies, encouraging them, challenging them, guiding them in their education. I had the time and the wherewithall to do this. I do know that Far too many parents are ill equipped to further their childs learning. Far too many teachers are overwhelmed by a system that is tied to political whims. There has been and will continue to be a constant discussion about the American educational system. Parents, teachers, students, administrators, school boards, teachers unions, PTO's, and departments of education all want input. This often leads to chaos. Most parents have a complaint about the system. From the classroom, to the lunchroom, to the locker room, there is something for everyone to beat the drums about. What is it that all of us really want? The easy answer would be what is best for the children. This however often gets overshadowed by other things. Parents are the worst judge of their own children. To them, their child is the most gifted, most intellegent, and has the best chance to succeed. This can not possibly be true can it? If every single child in the United States graduated from college, who would perform the manual labor necessary for daily life? This is a very complicated issue that requires better minds than mine to correct this situation before its too late.
February 22, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
lycomu: I have several close friends who possess college degrees and "perform the manual labor necessary for daily life." You are assuming only the weak of mind or lacking of education are willing or capable of doing manual labor. On the other hand, I have only a high school education, barely graduating with a low GPA, and worked most of my life in upper management with large national companys making a six-figure income. I retired comfortably at the age of 59. Education is good. Work ethic is better.
February 22, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lycomu (anonymous) says...
My point was, or should have been, education is by no means the path to a "great Job" A great number believe in this fantasy. Education is a great thing, work ethic, or just plain personal ethics are far better
February 22, 2008 at 3:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
Some of you with your ""gifted kids""", save this article and come back in 25 years and report to us what Tyson plant your kids are working in. I totally agree with your LAST comment lycom.
February 22, 2008 at 4:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slipandslide (anonymous) says...
its fair to say that in the 40 and 50's families mainly lived on one income giving the kids a stay at home parent who could spend time with the kids school work, be classroom parents ect. not there are many families working two jobs and still stressed out trying to meet the bills. another difference in the times, is that families dont always live in the same town as their extended families, meaning the kids dont always have the benefit of relatives who can lend a helping hand. the schools are streched to the limit and the kids dont have as much help at home with their educations, i know alot of people who would love to be able to spend more time educating their kids, but cant. work ethics are good, but not necessarily the main ingredient to success. look how many people have worked hard, educated themselves only to be layed off because of downsizing.
February 22, 2008 at 10:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
Good point, slipandsllide. Growing up in the 50s, I walked home every day (one block) for a hot lunch and discussed the morning's school activities with mom as I ate. When I got home after school I was often greeted by a sweet smell of a pie in the oven or fresh baked cookies cooling on the kitchen table. My dad worked as a road salesman and was usually gone Monday through Friday but mom was always there and very active in school functions and events. Yes, "the times; they are a changin'".
February 22, 2008 at 11:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )