Gifted children are special needs children

Re:Gifted children are special needs children by eigencoder on Tuesday October 07, 2025 @10:50AM (#45503798)

I think you may misunderstand what a gifted kindergartener is. Like, some kids come in and they essentially taught themselves to read. That doesn't mean they have helicopter parents who think they're extra special -- it means they have distinct needs that aren't well served in the normal classroom, which is boring for them.

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Re:Gifted children are special needs children by oluminate on Tuesday October 07, 2025 @11:03AM (#45503993)

I don't think four year olds demonstrating the ability to read several levels above their grade level is 1.) rare and 2.) a talent you can realistically tease out from over-parenting at that age.

Given the extreme levels of segregation in certain parts of the country (NYC for example has fewer than 5 percent of Black and Latino kindergartners in G&T programs, but higher enrollment for Black and Latino students in third grade) school systems like that one should seriously consider pivoting to prioritizing equality over G&T funding.

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Re:Gifted children are special needs children by reliabilityguy on Tuesday October 07, 2025 @11:05AM (#45504036)

> NYC for example has fewer than 5 percent of Black and Latino kindergartners in G&T programs, but higher enrollment for Black and Latino students in third grade

Why does it happen?

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Re:Gifted children are special needs children by eigencoder on Tuesday October 07, 2025 @02:00PM (#45506494)

But how does pulling a GT program help with equality? Putting bored kids in a classroom with kids who are far behind them developmentally drags everyone down. Don't the GT kids deserve to learn, too?

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Re:Gifted children are special needs children by bccdee on Wednesday October 08, 2025 @12:50PM (#45518163)

> I don't think four year olds demonstrating the ability to read several levels above their grade level is 1.) rare and 2.) a talent you can realistically tease out from over-parenting at that age.

Sure, but shouldn't those kids be in an environment where they can practice reading instead of being painstakingly re-taught the alphabet? As you said, it's not all rare.

I was one of those kids, and I was extremely disruptive in class because I couldn't bear to be made to sit and trace the letter "A" for 45 minutes when I was already reading novels at home. When they stuck me in a different class, things got much better for me, and it's not like doing that cost the school board any extra money.

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