Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Add Reply
Stop the Brain Drain; One Size Does Not Fit All
Topic Started: Oct 26 2006, 05:30 PM (1,625 Views)
Anna Krome
Principal

GREAT OPPORTUNITY: Learn more about differentiated curriculum at the Thursday, November 16, conference “One Size Does Not Fit All” AND HEAR FROM THE STATE DEPT. OF EDUCATION on what they are doing for the highly able students in our state. 

MDE representatives will also be asking YOUR INPUT on these matters, including the new high school curriculum requirements.

The registration form is online at www.migiftedchild.org. The East side conference is on Thursday, November 16, in Birmingham, at Derby Middle School. 

The Michigan Alliance is working hard this year to be more supportive of you—parents, educators, schools.  Please let us know how we can be of further help to you.
 
Contact:  Marie Brucker, vice president for Affiliates, 810-227-5379, m.brucker@comcast
www.migiftedchild.org
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
c3hull
Member Avatar
Principal
What happens to the "gifted children" that aren't able to get into Webster? I know several parents who have children reading several grade levels ahead and/or doing math way beyond their classmates. LPS has enough kids that something else could be implemented besides Webster.

When the LIe was announced, I know a few parents asked about this issue at BOE meetings. I remember all of the comparisions being made to Novi's 5-6 school, but then someone mentioned that they have classes for the children above/below the average academic levels. The responses from our BOE were, " NO", the K-4 & 5-6 schools in LPS would NOT be teaching to the different levels like Novi. :blink:

Why not? We surely have the numbers to implement such classes. Another failure from LPS as far as I'm concerned. The only reasonable excuse not to have advanced classes in the elementary schools would be due to a very small district/student enrollment. What a shame that so many gifted kids are being forced to have their learning abilities stagnated.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
chs3
1st Grade
[ *  * ]
Three years ago when the when Livonia's Gifted Specialist retired, due to budget cuts the position was reduced to a half time position. Many parents went before the board with concerns for the gifted program to be able to maintain its national reputation as a magnate school, drawing many families from out of state and surrounding districts to Livonia. While other districts have some gifted programming, we are the only district that offers a magnate school such as Webster. These families usually are larger than just one child, bringing $$ to the district. Also, the ability to grow the program for our own children to benefit from. Webster is not a good fit for all kids; some really benefit from staying with their own friends. There was a worry of the ability of a part time position affording the opportunity for the specialist to then carry out the special programming within the neighborhood schools. Many in-services where offered where the staff was able to learn to differentiate in the class room or look to the gifted specialist for student support when it was a full time position.

While Doctor Liepa called this program "one of the jewels in the crown of Livonia Public Schools', they did nothing to protect it or grow it. The board members looked at statistics on how this increases student numbers, how unique the program was and had nothing to say, other than we will keep an eye on it. The new “gifted specialist”, who is also a counselor at Frost, with a full plate, has only so many hours in a day. It has been suggested that Livonia could use a magnate kindergarten to support the children that are accelerating at that young age, a need for more support in the classroom for the brighter students so that they have a peer group to work within, etc....but with attitudes like Dan Lessard who on more than one occasion has vocalized his lack of knowledge about gifted and bright children and their educational needs, thinks that all you have to do is step aside and not get in their way and they grow. When in reality these brighter children with lack of challenge become one of the highest at risk populations.

The TMI special education program and the gifted program make up the Webster community. This community melds together so well because they are both unique populations, each at the opposite end of the spectrum (or bell curve), each needing their own support with challenges they face. I believe every Livonia classroom in some aspects imitates this setting; they all have a wide range of abilities within them. Many of the same teaching tools used at Webster would be of value in all the classrooms.






Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Elisa
Member Avatar
Principal
c3hull
Oct 27 2006, 01:23 AM
What happens to the "gifted children" that aren't able to get into Webster?

They move toward mediocrity unless they are lucky enough to draw a teacher that will differentiate. One of mine missed Webster by a percentage point or 2, she was eventually labeled "chatty and restless" by her teacher who refused to give "special" work.
The standard curriculum just isn't enough for many of the students in LPS.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Anna Krome
Principal
I agree that kids learn at different speeds, and many, many of Livonia's brightest are being used as "helpers" in class--helping the kids who don't absorb as quickly.

Livonia's ACAT/MACAT program are truely gems in MI and the nation, at large.

Creating a more expansive differentiated curriculum is imperative to draw young families to Livonia.

The kids at the other end of the spectrum are carefully guided through school and given ample additional help through parapros, remedial programs and on and on.

Assuming a "good" student will be "okay" w/o adequate challenges is wrong-headed and creates a BRAIN DRAIN in Livonia's schools.

AK
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
one_observer
Principal
ACAT and MACAT seem to be similar to a private school that hand picks their students. Unless ACAT and MACAT are funded through private donations, I would say those 'special ed' programs are using additional and more funds than what a general ed student uses.

Are the class sizes in those special ed classes comparable with those in the now K-4 group? Why isn't the BOE criticizing them as a drain on the general ed fund?

All children should be challenged to reach their full potential. Why let a child's brain atrophy? If the higher achieving students are being used as tutors, give them part time tutor pay or 1/2 time parapro pay considering LPS has found the treasure box full of $$$
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Anna Krome
Principal
According to the Michigan Affiliation for differentiated curriculums, less than 1% of the total state education budget is spent on creating opportunities for the "good student."

If it's good for Webster, Frost and Churchill's special advanced curriculums, why isn't okay for the rest of LPS' "good student" population?

Currently, there is only room for the very top 2% of test-takers to enter the programs. Hundreds of other kids deserve advanced K-6 opportunities, as well. It's too bad that there is not "enough room" for, perhaps, the top 10% of students?


Differentiated curriculums are being used already in special ed programs--why not use this thinking to bring to the fore the kids at the other end of the spectrum?

Familes move to Livonia specifically for ACAT/MACAT curriculums. Expanding these programs, which Livonia does exceedingly well, will draw families back to Livonia.

We need something positive after the PR horror of the last year. Perhaps a new BOE member will embrace this opportuity to expand one of LPS' positives.

AK
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
fyi
Principal
Too bad they didn't explore ways to attract students to the district......instead they chose a Legacy of lost funding.......

I agree Anna....they should have focused on the positive aspects of the district rather than the negative.......
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Zeke
Member Avatar
Principal
one_observer
Oct 27 2006, 07:30 PM
ACAT and MACAT seem to be similar to a private school that hand picks their students. Unless ACAT and MACAT are funded through private donations, I would say those 'special ed' programs are using additional and more funds than what a general ed student uses.

Are the class sizes in those special ed classes comparable with those in the now K-4 group? Why isn't the BOE criticizing them as a drain on the general ed fund?

All children should be challenged to reach their full potential. Why let a child's brain atrophy? If the higher achieving students are being used as tutors, give them part time tutor pay or 1/2 time parapro pay considering LPS has found the treasure box full of $$$

When my son was in MACAT (7 yrs ago) there were 2 classes with 35 in each class.
Two MACAT teachers for 70 students 4 hrs. of the day.
On face value your post is totally absurd.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
c3hull
Member Avatar
Principal
I really think this issue needs to be addressed in a more persistant manner by the parents of gifted kids that are not in Webster. I know two gifted kids personally that are not being challenged and are totally bored. Considering we have such huge elementary schools, each one could easily put the advanced kids in one class and let them bloom.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
fyi
Principal
The advanced classes at the middle school level are very limited. If they challenge more kids @ the elementary level, would they have a place for them in middle school? Wouldn't want to make them too smart.....then they would have to expand the middle school program..... :rolleyes: (I'm being sarcastic).
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Mrs.M
Member Avatar
Principal
You're right, not all students at Webster are guaranteed a home at Frost in MACAT. Competition can be vicious. I wonder what happens to those students that don't make the cut into MACAT? No doubt there is drastic adjustment that student goes through, both academically and socially. I know there are some 'advanced' classes in 7/8.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
plmask
Principal
Mrs.M
Nov 3 2006, 09:46 AM
You're right, not all students at Webster are guaranteed a home at Frost in MACAT. Competition can be vicious. I wonder what happens to those students that don't make the cut into MACAT? No doubt there is drastic adjustment that student goes through, both academically and socially. I know there are some 'advanced' classes in 7/8.

I'm a parent of a student that "didn't make the cut" and it is the best thing that happened to my child. He went from Webster to middle school as the only child from Webster to attend that middle school. I was soooo worried all summer, so was my child. But it turned out to be for the best. There were accelarated classes for math, english, and social studies. The teachers were terrific. The teachers from middle school suggested he try for the MSC program at high school but he decided not to and hasn't looked back. He is now a 4. student in hs with college recruiters calling and sending him stuff all the time. We then pulled our other child out of Webster. Also a good decision for us.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
c3hull
Member Avatar
Principal
I'm glad to here there are advanced classes for those who don't make the cut into the MCAT program, but why can't there be accelerated classes for the kids K-6? It just doesn't make sense with the size of our district. :unsure:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ForMySons
Principal
c3hull
Nov 3 2006, 10:55 PM
I'm glad to here there are advanced classes for those who don't make the cut into the MCAT program, but why can't there be accelerated classes for the kids K-6? It just doesn't make sense with the size of our district. :unsure:

I agree, but they even need to expand the accelerated programs at the middle school level--there are still more kids that could benefit from the classes.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Livonia Neighbors Archive · Next Topic »
Add Reply