Districts with good GT programs (Houston, Spring: home, to buy, schools) - Texas (TX) - Page 3 - City-Data Forum

Lbjen · 07-01-2013, 06:19 PM

Can you elaborate more on the nature of the GT program? Do the kids get anything more than just differentiation within their regular classroom or is that the extent of it? It's so hard to get a clear answer from their website and I didn't do much better asking at the school.

crbcrbrgv · 07-01-2013, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lbjen

Can you elaborate more on the nature of the GT program? Do the kids get anything more than just differentiation within their regular classroom or is that the extent of it? It's so hard to get a clear answer from their website and I didn't do much better asking at the school.

That's pretty much FBISD in a nutshell. They know the wealthier kids will be okay, regardless and the parents truly run everything.

Essentially, it's neutered land.

swopoe · 07-01-2013, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lbjen

Can you elaborate more on the nature of the GT program? Do the kids get anything more than just differentiation within their regular classroom or is that the extent of it? It's so hard to get a clear answer from their website and I didn't do much better asking at the school.

Yes, it is like that in FBISD. My son is in GT there (he will be in 4th grade this upcoming school year and has been GT since Kindergarten). It may be a little different in middle and high school though. I really wish I could get more information about it.

Lbjen · 07-01-2013, 08:03 PM

So what makes it a program then if they're still in the same room, with the same kids and same teacher learning the same stuff? What exactly are you testing in or qualifying for? Our old school didn't have any GT program but they pulled some kids out to do advanced reading and math in some grades. If FBISD isn't even doing that how can they say they have a program, or worse, make people test for it?!

swopoe · 07-01-2013, 08:19 PM

At the elementary level, at least, they are supposed to do extra projects for enrichment. At our former elementary school in Richmond, my son's teachers did have him do some extra science projects because my son is very into science. In the third grade, his ELA teacher had him do some extra poetry because he is also into poetry. We moved to Sugar Land in March and switched schools, and he didn't do anything special with his new teacher at all. There was a GT elementary showcase in May at Clements HS, but my son and his class did nothing at all for it (it was supposed to be presenting special projects done by the GT students).

crbcrbrgv · 07-02-2013, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lbjen

So what makes it a program then if they're still in the same room, with the same kids and same teacher learning the same stuff? What exactly are you testing in or qualifying for? Our old school didn't have any GT program but they pulled some kids out to do advanced reading and math in some grades. If FBISD isn't even doing that how can they say they have a program, or worse, make people test for it?!

It's not a very good program if you are coming from another state because quite frankly, Texas schools aren't as good as schools in most states.

I will get ripped on a lot for saying that, but if you want the G-d honest truth, ask a transfer from California how they feel about the schools here. Or Illinois. Some even visit this forum.

kaymurr · 07-02-2013, 04:32 PM

My children are returning to Aristoi Classical Academy in "old Katy"...it's a charter school. Since becoming classical a few years ago it has begun to grow significantly but is still a small school, K-8, scheduled to begin adding high school with grade nine in fall 2014. The curriculum is definitely accelerated, although I do have a struggling reader, ACA can accommodate various levels. All incoming grades have a required summer reading--including kinder. It has been approved to grow to 440 students next year, admissions are by lottery but there is sibling preference, meaning once one of your children gets in, the other bumps to first in line. I would call and ask what the wait is for grades you are looking at; if only one or two kids, you will likely be in before school starts. In the spirit of full disclosure: I will be teaching there next year.

1girln3boya · 07-02-2013, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crbcrbrgv

It's not a very good program if you are coming from another state because quite frankly, Texas schools aren't as good as schools in most states.

I will get ripped on a lot for saying that, but if you want the G-d honest truth, ask a transfer from California how they feel about the schools here. Or Illinois. Some even visit this forum.

I moved here from CA. Our schools were so crappy that I was impressed with HISD.

Lbjen · 07-02-2013, 09:57 PM

I just moved here from Illinois and I'm also more impressed with the schools here than I was there. And we were in one of the 'top' districts in the state.

ACA looks interesting but their test scores scare me.

kaymurr · 07-17-2013, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lbjen

ACA looks interesting but their test scores scare me.

I've learned to be more scared of districts that have across-the-board exemplary ratings...a sure sign they are focused on #1 teaching to the test, and #2 maintaining the status quo. Neither are good for children with any kind of exceptionalities...speaking as a teacher and a parent.