Sharing a blog about GATE testing, and Kindergarten cutoff dates

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cubiczirconia

cubiczirconia

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No professional views here, but just blogged about my own experience of sending my daughter to Kindergarten this year (she will be five on Dec 2nd), and my decision to get her tested for GATE.
http://meghanajoshi.blogspot.com/2011/11/clock-and-cutoff-date.html

I wasn't here when you guys talked about Amy Chua, (I bet you guys did) but the MPR/waiting room looked like it was filled with her clones, only they couldn't write about what they are doing, she did!

 
Good blog post. We received a letter yesterday from my 3rd grader's teacher requesting permission to test him for the GATE program. Talking to Mr. SoCal last night gave me some reservations. He was an honor's student back in the day and according to him, having an intense English course full of over-prescribed reading took his love for learning (none of which was for English) and turned it into a hatred for reading novels to where he can't even pick up a book today. I don't want that to happen to my son. My son does want to test for the GATE program and likes the sound of it but I'm not going to be pushy if it turns out it's not the best fit for him, assuming he gets into the program. He has a love for school and I don't want to ruin that.

I also find it weird that in our district and I think most others - if they get into GATE, it seems like it's applied to all subjects. I don't understand that. With my son, he is very strong in math and science. His weakest subject is language arts. He does great in spelling but even though he gets straight A's, he has trouble with reading comprehension. I feel he does not belong in an advanced course for language arts all but the others, yes. I'm wondering if we could weed out some subjects but I have no clue. I'm totally new at this. Really, just as long as he does his very best, I'm happy. He gets good grades and I'm grateful. He loves school and homework. GATE would be the frosting on the cake but not necessary. I'm glad he has the opportunity, though.
 
Congratulations proud mommy :-)

1. Just because he got into GATE, he won't be pushed into all things Honors. Many of R1's friends are into College Prep, or Math 6 even though they made into GATE because their grades didn't exactly show that they were gifted in all topics.

2. I hear Mr.SoCal, loud and clear. R1 is reading all grim books. I don't know if it's the same for the college prep kids too, but hey, what happened to good stories about happy families? Maroo of the winter cave this semester. It's just depressing! So was Islands of the Blue Dolphins. I am not sure if that's the book where the little brother gets eaten by the wolves, but I remember R1 crying a river reading that passage.

3. Take heart- your son won't be pushed into anything just because he is a GATE student now. But, don't take heart.. may be not yet- our school district puts all kids into advanced classes based on their scores and classroom performance. One of my friend decided that testing would be very stressful, and so will the studies later, but surprise surprise, her daughter ended up taking the exact same classes as the rest because she was identified as an advanced student, doing the same homework as GATE kids.. really depends on your school.

He will get a GATE homework package every now and then though.. most of that homework will be fun, most kids love doing it, very creative and all unlike the regular school homework that they do. Talk to his teacher or the GATE rep and check how it changes his schooling. Tustin Memorial and Columbus Tustin are our magnet schools, but I don't think I will choose them over our homeschools. I don't know what they teach over there that makes them magnet, but kids should be happy to go to school, and I should be happy to drop them there.

Good luck :-) He has the best - good looks,  and the smarts. If he was an Indian boy born twenty years ago, you would be considered sitting on a gold mine :P


 
Nice to know. After reading your post, I feel better that they may not misplace or force him into an advanced course where he is not doing well. I asked Mr. SC about that and why he didn't say something to his teacher back then. He said he did and was told once you're in, you can not revert to the regular program because it is literally a repeat of the A.P. class he already took. (I guess at that time, it was just doing the next year's work early.) I was concerned about that happening with the boy but I think the key might be to just keep an eye on it sooner and not wait until you get too far into it before admitting it's too much to handle. (Mr. SC waited until the year was nearly completed. Yikes.) Special programs or not - I think many of us got burned out in school but you've just got to get through it. As a parent, it is sometimes difficult to walk that fine line between encouraging and pushy. As a mom, I'm sure I'll find a way to beat myself up for either not doing enough or going too far.

Why, thank you. Is it too soon to begin discussing an arranged marriage between my two boys and your two girls?  :)

 
This is true for all of us mommies - we will beat ourselves up whatever they do. If they have homework, that's our fault because we wanted them to excel. If they are lazing on the couch watching Wizards of Waverly place, that's our fault too- we didn't push them enough :-)

But kids these days are much are outspoken.. they will let us know one way or another. Also, the advanced placement works on semester basis- if they show that they can't take the work, they will be sent to the other class..R1's teacher once told her "There are two kids ready and available to take the spot if you want to give up, but if you want to come back, no one else might be as generous as you are".

Regarding the work load - he won't feel it much. The amount of homework will remain the same, only it will be tuned to his thinking level, not a grade behind. He will enjoy it more because it will interest and challenge him.
 
Do the GATE kids have to re-test at any point after they are admitted into the program in order to keep the spot? Or do they have a spot unless or until their grades slip and they are no longer eligible? I'll assume it's not a permanent membership.
 
GATE is a permanent membership, but advanced placement isn't.
For AP, they have to work and show that they can keep up the grades.
 
I'll definitely check out those books you recommend. He'll be taking the OLSAT group ability test which I believe includes an IQ test. I have my doubts he would do well with this screening process simply due to time constraints. Both of my sons are smart but do slow & strategic work. They both have no concept of time (just like meeee!!) Timed tests have always been a weak point with them. I hope that 1 hour is enough. If he doesn't pass the test and get admission, it'll be no sweat off my back. Some people test well and others don't. I still have confidence in him being a good student and told him this. I'm satisfied either way. We're told that instead of a cluster group inside his regular classroom, he may be asked to attend a different school for a full-day GATE program where is surrounded by intellectual peers. Wow. That was a surprise to hear. I never imagined he'd be attending a school other than the one he's at. The two brothers were looking forward to having the same schedule beginning next year when the little one enters first grade. But, I don't want to get too ahead of myself. One thing at a time!
 
APAAS is another accelerated program offered only in Irvine- it's not the one with permanent membership:-)
TUSD doesn't have that program.
 
Thought I should post an update on this one. Didn't happen.
She did great on non-verbal, but verbal was unusually low.
Next attempt will be in 2013 :-)

Of course she has forgotten all about giving a test and has moved on. Makes my life simpler! Don't have to sit down and talk about it.

 
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