Friday, December 19, 2003
Superintendent of Schools Responds
Port Washington News, NY - December 18, 2003
Geoffrey N. Gordon, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
(Ed. Note: Followingis a response to a letter to the Superintendent of Schools regarding PW's test scores. It is reprinted here at Dr. Gordon's request.)
...
We have initiated gifted education for every child. The three components include self-directed challenge workshops, push-in inclusion classes and the traditional rubric model. We know of no other school district anywhere with this type of progressive model (confirmed by Teachers College, Columbia University).
Although no other district uses the model, it is somehow confirmed. Or did they confirm that nobody uses the model?
Port Washington News, NY - December 18, 2003
Geoffrey N. Gordon, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
(Ed. Note: Followingis a response to a letter to the Superintendent of Schools regarding PW's test scores. It is reprinted here at Dr. Gordon's request.)
...
We have initiated gifted education for every child. The three components include self-directed challenge workshops, push-in inclusion classes and the traditional rubric model. We know of no other school district anywhere with this type of progressive model (confirmed by Teachers College, Columbia University).
Although no other district uses the model, it is somehow confirmed. Or did they confirm that nobody uses the model?
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
Alternate programs failing to attract students
Daily Yomiuri, Japan - December 8, 2003
Despite legal changes made in 1997 to grant high school students early college admission, few colleges and universities in this country are ready to adopt this system.
...
Chiba University offers about three classes a week solely for grade-skippers like Hinuma, in which they receive intensive, advanced instruction in physics and mathematics in what practically amounts to individual lessons.
...
Chiba University has accepted 17 such grade-skippers, some of whom have continued their studies in graduate programs at Chiba and other universities, including Tokyo University.
Other than Chiba University, however, only Meijo University in Nagoya offers a similar program.
...
The reason only two universities in the nation offer grade-skipping programs is that there is a deep-rooted antipathy toward such programs among university faculty members, who cast doubt on their educational effectiveness.
...
The Mathematical Society of Japan also has declared it opposes the grade-skipping system.
Daily Yomiuri, Japan - December 8, 2003
Despite legal changes made in 1997 to grant high school students early college admission, few colleges and universities in this country are ready to adopt this system.
...
Chiba University offers about three classes a week solely for grade-skippers like Hinuma, in which they receive intensive, advanced instruction in physics and mathematics in what practically amounts to individual lessons.
...
Chiba University has accepted 17 such grade-skippers, some of whom have continued their studies in graduate programs at Chiba and other universities, including Tokyo University.
Other than Chiba University, however, only Meijo University in Nagoya offers a similar program.
...
The reason only two universities in the nation offer grade-skipping programs is that there is a deep-rooted antipathy toward such programs among university faculty members, who cast doubt on their educational effectiveness.
...
The Mathematical Society of Japan also has declared it opposes the grade-skipping system.
Tuesday, December 09, 2003
Schools Chief Shifted Fairfax District's Focus
Washington Post, December 7, 2003; Page C09
S. Mitra Kalita
Daniel A. Domenech wants to be remembered for having something to do with that.
Last week, the superintendent of Fairfax County schools announced his retirement.
...
Last year, Domenech proposed delaying enrollment in gifted and talented centers to fourth grade instead of third, and reducing the number of teachers in the program to save money.
"His strategic targets were not designed to measure the progress of gifted students," said Louise Epstein, president of the Fairfax County Association for the Gifted and the mother of three girls. "To the extent that his targets and initiatives were directed at gifted programs, they focused primarily on the racial composition of the students in those programs."
But Domenech counters that the school system's long-term success depends on the achievement of low-performing students. "Our white, middle-class students were already high-performing. They weren't going to perform any higher," he said last week.
How nice of him to determine the ceiling for someone else.
Washington Post, December 7, 2003; Page C09
S. Mitra Kalita
Daniel A. Domenech wants to be remembered for having something to do with that.
Last week, the superintendent of Fairfax County schools announced his retirement.
...
Last year, Domenech proposed delaying enrollment in gifted and talented centers to fourth grade instead of third, and reducing the number of teachers in the program to save money.
"His strategic targets were not designed to measure the progress of gifted students," said Louise Epstein, president of the Fairfax County Association for the Gifted and the mother of three girls. "To the extent that his targets and initiatives were directed at gifted programs, they focused primarily on the racial composition of the students in those programs."
But Domenech counters that the school system's long-term success depends on the achievement of low-performing students. "Our white, middle-class students were already high-performing. They weren't going to perform any higher," he said last week.
How nice of him to determine the ceiling for someone else.
Micron gives $1 million for new school
The Idaho Statesman - December 5, 2003
Bill Roberts
On Thursday, Micron Technology Foundation Inc., pledged $1 million over five years to the Boise School District to create the school, which will be named The Treasure Valley Mathematics and Science Center. It will draw mainly from students in Boise and Meridian districts.
...
Total cost for creating the program — including constructing a building within two years — is $4 million. The money beyond Micron´s contribution will come from donations and grants.
...
Creating a pool of potential employees, however, isn´t Micron´s main goal in backing the school. But, he said, “The more students are encouraged in math and science, the more opportunity we´ll have to find gifted employees down the road.”
...
Answers to questions about Boise's new math and science center
The school will start with seventh and ninth graders. But it eventually will include students from seventh through 12th grades. Students will start by attending the school for half days. The other half-day will be spent at their regular school. About 150 students will attend when the school opens next fall. About half would attend in the morning and half in the afternoon.
...
How will students be chosen?
That it still being worked out. But it would likely be a combination of teacher recommendations, test scores, and an established level of ability.
...
Along with ability must come passion for the subject, said Greg Antonini, a Boise District physics instructor and math and science school project director.
The school will be looking for students who excel in math and science, even if they don´t excel in other subjects.
There are some reasonable people in Idaho.
The school´s instruction will be based on the inquiry method. That means kids won´t read a textbook, answer some questions and do a worksheet of math problems. Instead, kids will apply their skills and learning to real-world problems.
...
Another difference: Instruction will be geared to putting students in touch with business mentors in fields ranging from computers to medicine. They could eventually become involved in research.
"They´ll not only know the stuff, but they will know how to use the stuff," Olson said.
The National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology -- an association of schools similar to the one planned for Boise -- has about 80 members in the country.
The Idaho Statesman - December 5, 2003
Bill Roberts
On Thursday, Micron Technology Foundation Inc., pledged $1 million over five years to the Boise School District to create the school, which will be named The Treasure Valley Mathematics and Science Center. It will draw mainly from students in Boise and Meridian districts.
...
Total cost for creating the program — including constructing a building within two years — is $4 million. The money beyond Micron´s contribution will come from donations and grants.
...
Creating a pool of potential employees, however, isn´t Micron´s main goal in backing the school. But, he said, “The more students are encouraged in math and science, the more opportunity we´ll have to find gifted employees down the road.”
...
Answers to questions about Boise's new math and science center
The school will start with seventh and ninth graders. But it eventually will include students from seventh through 12th grades. Students will start by attending the school for half days. The other half-day will be spent at their regular school. About 150 students will attend when the school opens next fall. About half would attend in the morning and half in the afternoon.
...
How will students be chosen?
That it still being worked out. But it would likely be a combination of teacher recommendations, test scores, and an established level of ability.
...
Along with ability must come passion for the subject, said Greg Antonini, a Boise District physics instructor and math and science school project director.
The school will be looking for students who excel in math and science, even if they don´t excel in other subjects.
There are some reasonable people in Idaho.
The school´s instruction will be based on the inquiry method. That means kids won´t read a textbook, answer some questions and do a worksheet of math problems. Instead, kids will apply their skills and learning to real-world problems.
...
Another difference: Instruction will be geared to putting students in touch with business mentors in fields ranging from computers to medicine. They could eventually become involved in research.
"They´ll not only know the stuff, but they will know how to use the stuff," Olson said.
The National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology -- an association of schools similar to the one planned for Boise -- has about 80 members in the country.
Sunday, December 07, 2003
Science & Math's application process under fire
Durham Herald Sun, NC - December 4, 2003
Christopher Kirkpatrick
Recent classes at the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics, a school for the state's best and brightest high schoolers, are not up to snuff, some faculty members say, with some students' SAT scores falling well below the national average, according to internal school documents.
At least one student in this school year's graduating class was admitted with a combined math and verbal SAT score of 880, out of 1,600. The student was one of several with scores in the upper 800s and in the 900s who were admitted to the prestigious school, which was intended to provide university-style education for exceptional juniors and seniors across the state.
If the student who scored 880 had been among the high school seniors taking it, he or she would have fallen in the 24th percentile
...
At least three other instructors, some of whom said they have felt pressure to raise grades to mask declining student quality, expressed similar views but did not want their names in the paper.
...
School officials said they would not release the database of scores for the last several incoming classes because they could not separate the scores from students' names.
Who wrote their database?
Taking a proportional number of students from each of the state's congressional districts means that some students in low-wealth areas may be accepted over seemingly more qualified students in higher-wealth, more populated areas, he [President Gerald Boarman, who is in his fourth year] said.
...
And grade inflation -- giving students higher grades than they deserve -- only makes the problem worse, said O'Dell, a math teacher.
"For the first time in my life, I've been under tremendous pressure to give As and Bs," she said. "I will admit I'm a tough grader. But I've never had this kind of pressure to give higher grades."
...
As for grade inflation, "I'm not aware of any evidence of [that] as a problem," Winslow [the chairman of the school's board of trustees and a graduate of the high school] said, "just like I'm not aware of any evidence that our student body is not as good as it has been."
Durham Herald Sun, NC - December 4, 2003
Christopher Kirkpatrick
Recent classes at the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics, a school for the state's best and brightest high schoolers, are not up to snuff, some faculty members say, with some students' SAT scores falling well below the national average, according to internal school documents.
At least one student in this school year's graduating class was admitted with a combined math and verbal SAT score of 880, out of 1,600. The student was one of several with scores in the upper 800s and in the 900s who were admitted to the prestigious school, which was intended to provide university-style education for exceptional juniors and seniors across the state.
If the student who scored 880 had been among the high school seniors taking it, he or she would have fallen in the 24th percentile
...
At least three other instructors, some of whom said they have felt pressure to raise grades to mask declining student quality, expressed similar views but did not want their names in the paper.
...
School officials said they would not release the database of scores for the last several incoming classes because they could not separate the scores from students' names.
Who wrote their database?
Taking a proportional number of students from each of the state's congressional districts means that some students in low-wealth areas may be accepted over seemingly more qualified students in higher-wealth, more populated areas, he [President Gerald Boarman, who is in his fourth year] said.
...
And grade inflation -- giving students higher grades than they deserve -- only makes the problem worse, said O'Dell, a math teacher.
"For the first time in my life, I've been under tremendous pressure to give As and Bs," she said. "I will admit I'm a tough grader. But I've never had this kind of pressure to give higher grades."
...
As for grade inflation, "I'm not aware of any evidence of [that] as a problem," Winslow [the chairman of the school's board of trustees and a graduate of the high school] said, "just like I'm not aware of any evidence that our student body is not as good as it has been."
Demystifying educational enrichment
Beverly Citizen, MA - December 4, 2003
Janice O'Leary
More than 100 of Beverly's gifted third-, fourth- and fifth-graders attend the EEC each year, yet for many kids and parents, how they were chosen and what goes on there remains a mystery.
...
Portfolios almost always include a writing piece, but rarely any projects showing problem solving skills or "divergent" thinking. So, after brainstorming with the screening committee and asking for teacher feedback, Falle and Bouton added a new assessment tool into the mix this year - a "prompt" that all students complete.
This year's prompt was a problem solving piece, designed differently for each grade. In it, an insect has taken a bite out of a leaf. Students were asked how many more bites were needed to finish the leaf and to explain their reasoning in words and pictures.
"These are the kinds of things they do in EEC," said Bouton.
Next year, Falle and Bouton plan to add a design prompt to the problem-solving one. And, intelligence testing may also be added as an assessment tool in the future.
...
Hutcherson said the program is writing intensive. Every week students keep a journal. Last week's writing topic was "What does yellow smell like? What does gentle look like?"
Her personal favorite? "If dogs had their own country, what would the words to their national anthem be?"
Once chosen to participate in the program, students pay a fee to participate - $600 per year for fourth- and fifth-graders, and $300 per year for third-graders. Third-grade students attend EEC one full day every other week, while the fourth- and fifth-graders attend one full day every week.
Beverly Citizen, MA - December 4, 2003
Janice O'Leary
More than 100 of Beverly's gifted third-, fourth- and fifth-graders attend the EEC each year, yet for many kids and parents, how they were chosen and what goes on there remains a mystery.
...
Portfolios almost always include a writing piece, but rarely any projects showing problem solving skills or "divergent" thinking. So, after brainstorming with the screening committee and asking for teacher feedback, Falle and Bouton added a new assessment tool into the mix this year - a "prompt" that all students complete.
This year's prompt was a problem solving piece, designed differently for each grade. In it, an insect has taken a bite out of a leaf. Students were asked how many more bites were needed to finish the leaf and to explain their reasoning in words and pictures.
"These are the kinds of things they do in EEC," said Bouton.
Next year, Falle and Bouton plan to add a design prompt to the problem-solving one. And, intelligence testing may also be added as an assessment tool in the future.
...
Hutcherson said the program is writing intensive. Every week students keep a journal. Last week's writing topic was "What does yellow smell like? What does gentle look like?"
Her personal favorite? "If dogs had their own country, what would the words to their national anthem be?"
Once chosen to participate in the program, students pay a fee to participate - $600 per year for fourth- and fifth-graders, and $300 per year for third-graders. Third-grade students attend EEC one full day every other week, while the fourth- and fifth-graders attend one full day every week.
Saturday, December 06, 2003
Mother who faked boy's genius gets jail time
Elizabeth Chapman, 31, of Broomfield was found guilty of second-degree forgery for turning over fraudulent test results in November 2001 to social workers after her son Justin, then 7, tried to commit suicide. Chapman claimed her son scored as a genius on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale test at 3, aced the math portion of the SAT and scored a 298-plus IQ on the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale at age 6.
Prosecutors argued Chapman was trying to blame his attempt at overdosing on Motrin on his advanced intellect, which further victimized Justin and led those attempting to help him down the wrong path.
Deputy District Attorney Lori Beck said Chapman bilked as much as $62,000 from those wanting to finance her son's fabricated intelligence with special schooling and tests.
That's a lot of documents faked right after the suicide attempt. Quick thinking and execution.
Parents get aware of "heightened sensitivity"
Elizabeth Chapman, 31, of Broomfield was found guilty of second-degree forgery for turning over fraudulent test results in November 2001 to social workers after her son Justin, then 7, tried to commit suicide. Chapman claimed her son scored as a genius on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale test at 3, aced the math portion of the SAT and scored a 298-plus IQ on the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale at age 6.
Prosecutors argued Chapman was trying to blame his attempt at overdosing on Motrin on his advanced intellect, which further victimized Justin and led those attempting to help him down the wrong path.
Deputy District Attorney Lori Beck said Chapman bilked as much as $62,000 from those wanting to finance her son's fabricated intelligence with special schooling and tests.
That's a lot of documents faked right after the suicide attempt. Quick thinking and execution.
Parents get aware of "heightened sensitivity"
ADB commits to $55m loan for education reform
Vietnam Economic Times, Vietnam - December 3, 2003
...
It will also be used to buy education aids for 20 disadvantaged provinces and three ‘Schools for Gifted Children’ – Chu Van An in Ha Noi, National University Hue in Thua Thien-Hue and Le Hong Phong in HCM City, which hope to reach international standards.
Asia Bank for Development
Vietnam Economic Times, Vietnam - December 3, 2003
...
It will also be used to buy education aids for 20 disadvantaged provinces and three ‘Schools for Gifted Children’ – Chu Van An in Ha Noi, National University Hue in Thua Thien-Hue and Le Hong Phong in HCM City, which hope to reach international standards.
Asia Bank for Development
Intellectual capital of the world
Ashley News Observer, AR, December 1, 2003
DEIRDRE KELLEY
Arkansas can boast of its gifted and talented program. According to the NEA, it is one of the top four states in the nation in the percentage of public primary schools with a gifted and talented program, and No. 1 in the nation in the percentage of public secondary schools with a gifted and talented program.
Ashley News Observer, AR, December 1, 2003
DEIRDRE KELLEY
Arkansas can boast of its gifted and talented program. According to the NEA, it is one of the top four states in the nation in the percentage of public primary schools with a gifted and talented program, and No. 1 in the nation in the percentage of public secondary schools with a gifted and talented program.
Thursday, December 04, 2003
Gifted left behind by school eforms
Chicago Tribune, November 29, 2003
Tracy Dell'Angela
In the spring, state lawmakers literally wiped out the concept of gifted education--by eliminating $19 million in grants that helped fund programs in 800 districts statewide and erasing any mention of gifted education as a mandate in the state school code.
...
Czajka hopes that parents' involvement with a task force studying the changes will lead to improvements rather than cuts. But if that fails, Czajka would be willing to fight to preserve the program, including using their children's superior test scores as leverage with school administrators.
"I think [a test boycott] is a great tool, and I wouldn't be averse to using it if they push us into doing that," Czajka said.
...
Nationwide, at least half the states mandate education for gifted and talented programs, with about 20 providing specific money for programs and teacher training, according to a 2002 survey by the National Association for Gifted Children. Nine states offer gifted students the same protections given to those in special education, with individualized learning plans and the right to challenge a district's decision through formal hearings.
Schools left to decide
Because of the change in state law and the elimination of the gifted grant, Illinois is no longer in that majority.
Which one is majority, half, 20, or 9?
Chicago Tribune, November 29, 2003
Tracy Dell'Angela
In the spring, state lawmakers literally wiped out the concept of gifted education--by eliminating $19 million in grants that helped fund programs in 800 districts statewide and erasing any mention of gifted education as a mandate in the state school code.
...
Czajka hopes that parents' involvement with a task force studying the changes will lead to improvements rather than cuts. But if that fails, Czajka would be willing to fight to preserve the program, including using their children's superior test scores as leverage with school administrators.
"I think [a test boycott] is a great tool, and I wouldn't be averse to using it if they push us into doing that," Czajka said.
...
Nationwide, at least half the states mandate education for gifted and talented programs, with about 20 providing specific money for programs and teacher training, according to a 2002 survey by the National Association for Gifted Children. Nine states offer gifted students the same protections given to those in special education, with individualized learning plans and the right to challenge a district's decision through formal hearings.
Schools left to decide
Because of the change in state law and the elimination of the gifted grant, Illinois is no longer in that majority.
Which one is majority, half, 20, or 9?
Wednesday, December 03, 2003
$2.9 billion into education for the gifted
The Korea Herald, November, 28, 03
The government yesterday decided to put 3.5 trillion won ($2.9 billion) into education for the gifted, the training of experts in state-of-the-art technologies and the development of other education infrastructure for the fiscal year 2004.
The decision was made at a meeting of education-related ministers, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development said.
Under the blueprint agreed upon at the meeting, the government will establish schools for educating the gifted in provinces that will accommodate up to 30,000 students by the end of 2007.
Currently, 12,000 students are attending schools for the gifted.
Focus will also be put on training experts in information, bio-, nano-, environmental and culture technologies.
The Korea Herald, November, 28, 03
The government yesterday decided to put 3.5 trillion won ($2.9 billion) into education for the gifted, the training of experts in state-of-the-art technologies and the development of other education infrastructure for the fiscal year 2004.
The decision was made at a meeting of education-related ministers, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development said.
Under the blueprint agreed upon at the meeting, the government will establish schools for educating the gifted in provinces that will accommodate up to 30,000 students by the end of 2007.
Currently, 12,000 students are attending schools for the gifted.
Focus will also be put on training experts in information, bio-, nano-, environmental and culture technologies.
Tuesday, December 02, 2003
Monday, December 01, 2003
Court fight over school fees for 'bright girl'
Telegraph, 22/11/2003
Liz Lightfoot
A father who claims state schools failed his "very bright" daughter wants to force an education authority to help pay private fees.
...
Dr Tim Southern, of Sonning Common, Oxon, said Reading Girls' School, the secondary his daughter attended, "had nothing else to teach her" by the time she was 14. He raised funds from eight charitable trusts to help send her to a boarding school but says this was up to £3,000 a year short of what he must pay.
...
"Exceedingly bright children cannot get statements of educational needs, which is what they require to have alternative schooling, but they have just as much need," said Dr Southern.
Telegraph, 22/11/2003
Liz Lightfoot
A father who claims state schools failed his "very bright" daughter wants to force an education authority to help pay private fees.
...
Dr Tim Southern, of Sonning Common, Oxon, said Reading Girls' School, the secondary his daughter attended, "had nothing else to teach her" by the time she was 14. He raised funds from eight charitable trusts to help send her to a boarding school but says this was up to £3,000 a year short of what he must pay.
...
"Exceedingly bright children cannot get statements of educational needs, which is what they require to have alternative schooling, but they have just as much need," said Dr Southern.
