Our kids were in private school until we moved to AZ in 2006, private schools in our area are lacking in accomadations. So, it's our 2nd with public school, both kids are in the academically gifted program. Here's my beef...although it didn't happen, it ALMOST did. Funds were short and they were going to cut the gifted program ALTOGETHER...but the Special Ed (sorry don't know the "correct" term of the year)was going to be unscathed.

In my mind, being challenged is just as important as mainstreaming or educating special ed kids. Why do the special ed kids take priority?

__________________
Mr "Stockbroker/Cottonbroker" is on ignore, he didn't kick my a$$.

Cotton in full glory: http://www.arguewitheveryone.com/lob...would-win.html

My fans;
http://www.arguewitheveryone.com/lob...amesake-4.html

It's really quite simple, (I don't agree with it). The Americans with Disabilities Act, and some other laws set up a criteria that must be met for those with disabilities. No such laws are set up for those that are gifted.

In our schools the call it TAG for Talented and gifted. It is a complete joke. My oldest son just graduated from the public high school.He graduated the top of his class both in academics and community service and leadership.It is because he is driven and took college classes in the summer and taught himself a third language and self study. My youngest will start HS in August. I switched and put in him in a top private Catholic school.Many really bright students especially girls went downhill the moment they hit HS.

I could write the reasons for hours-but need to sign off because my mom is visiting. I will be back to this thread!

Most people here say a forum never changes their mind on a subject. Well i listen to almost everyone and I now agree with Dom about vouchers.

I think the special ed does not really try to build the students where they should be either. I am really disapponted in our schools and we have some of the best in the nation.We always host xchange students and they comment on how lacking our schools seem to be-it is like a vaction year for them.

Okay I will be back to this thread to ventilate.

Schools are graded on how many students pass a standardized test. The gifted students will pass that test without a gifted program but less special ed students will pass the test without their program in full force.

The reason for the scenario you presented lady (I can't get myself to call you OB) is standardized tests and schools being held accountable for a minimum amount of students passing.

Right on Sam. The main reason I like vouchers is because it helps those poor kids who don't have the options that your and my children may have in educational opportunities.

A voucher system allows parents to punish schools that don't provide a quality education and a reward the schools that do.

__________________
An informed voter scares the Goverment lackeys.

An American first and always a Conservative.

Go Sooners

Freedom; yes, I completely understand the ADA. Although, I disagree with portions of the programs, particularly education. To justify, I am completely deaf in my right ear since age 12, 1980, I was NEVER offered any extra help in the public high school or public college I graudated from. (my mom was a public school teacher "just sit up front" was the solution)

Dom; yes, I agree with the voucher system. But, all states or counties aren't created equal in education.

__________________
Mr "Stockbroker/Cottonbroker" is on ignore, he didn't kick my a$$.

Cotton in full glory: http://www.arguewitheveryone.com/lob...would-win.html

My fans;
http://www.arguewitheveryone.com/lob...amesake-4.html

My son was considered learning disabled and put in special ed classes. He is not slow, but he does have an attention deficit. If something doesn't interest him, he shuts down. He became embarassed to ask a question when one teacher responded with, "I've already explained that so are you stupid?" In Houston special ed students are merged into mainstream in high school with kids with behavior problems.And to say "behavior problem" in Houston is similar to the behavior in state prisons. The teachers were so scared of them, there was no discipline. Teachers liked my son because he is big and polite, but only went to school because he had to. That was one of the reasons we moved out of the city. The couselor at his last high school met with both of us. We explained his situation and the fact that he was a father with custody and they were very helpful. He got a full time job, complied with h.s. requirements and graduated on time. He's in barber school and has taken two welding courses. Just didn't have to take that damnable TAAS test.

__________________
Most of the world's crises can be tracked back to the fact that WE HAVE TOO MANY LAWYERS.
---------------------------------------------------
Without women, money would have no meaning......Aristotle Onassis.

In one school district my BIL was put in special ed, moved to a different city, dx'd as dyslexic. Amazing how he academically grew after that.

__________________
Mr "Stockbroker/Cottonbroker" is on ignore, he didn't kick my a$$.

Cotton in full glory: http://www.arguewitheveryone.com/lob...would-win.html

My fans;
http://www.arguewitheveryone.com/lob...amesake-4.html

Okay, I am not going to be PC here, so everyone get ready to chomp. Some special classes are wonderful. They help those that need a little extra help. My son was ADHD and took special reading and speech classes. My oldest sister was (I believe, undiagnosed dyslexic) considered slow and took special classes. I had a couple of good friends in HS that required special classes.

Where I think the biggest waste of money, and time is in mainstreaming and "teaching" the severly mentally handicapped. It is an unbelieveable expense. They will never "learn" what is being actually taught. And they will never "socially" fit in. These children do take class time away from the other students, and they have to have a specialized para with them at all times.