Brooklyn school cutting gifted program to boost diversity

[Mister D]

At least one parent described the small gifted program, Students of Academic Rigor — or SOAR — as overwhelming caucasion, although others disputed that characterization.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn-school-cutting-gifted-program-boost-diversity-article-1.1595864#ixzz2s2YB5xAf

[Brewskier]

Welcome to Progressive America. We can't lift up our groups, so we'll tear yours down.

[Max Rockatansky]

A popular gifted program will get the axe after Ditmas Park school officials chose diversity over exclusivity.

Citing a lack of diversity, PS 139 Principal Mary McDonald informed parents in a letter that the Students of Academic Rigor and two other in-house programs would no longer accept applications for incoming kindergartners.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn-school-cutting-gifted-program-boost-diversity-article-1.1595864#ixzz2s2x26PPX

This is truly sad and another example of how, like Affirmative Action, "Good Intentions" are having the opposite effect. Gifted students are now going to be denied access to a program because of societal programs beyond their control. Beyond the school's control for that matter.

This is a clear case of where the desire of "Diversity" is harming people, not helping them. That is wrong and I hope more people not only recognize it is wrong, but stand up do declare it to be wrong.

[Heyduke]

They'll mail out a separate letter about how SOAR isn't really cancelled, written in cursive, so only the 'gifted' parents can read it.

[Green Arrow]

Yet another reason why our education system is screwed up.

[Captain Obvious]

This is why school privatization needs to be expanded.

[zelmo1234]

This is truly sad and another example of how, like Affirmative Action, "Good Intentions" are having the opposite effect. Gifted students are now going to be denied access to a program because of societal programs beyond their control. Beyond the school's control for that matter.

This is a clear case of where the desire of "Diversity" is harming people, not helping them. That is wrong and I hope more people not only recognize it is wrong, but stand up do declare it to be wrong.

Well Gifted people tend not to vote for liberal democrats of Fuck em!

[Codename Section]

I'm sure the progressives of Brooklyn will be completely supportive of this.

[Max Rockatansky]

They'll mail out a separate letter about how SOAR isn't really cancelled, written in cursive, so only the 'gifted' parents can read it.

LOL. Funny because it could easily be true.

[undine]

I don't get the concept of accepting applications for gifted kindergarteners. I mean, how can someone tell if they are gifted or not?

That said, I really don't care for "gifted" classes being offered to only bright children. Most of the classes are more interesting than regular class and more challenging. Give them all gifted classes.

[nathanbforrest45]

What I have observed is that the so called "gifted" programs do little beyond reducing even further the quality of education in the "regular" classes. By pulling out the highest achievers you automatically reduce the intelligence level in the rest of the schools. Furthermore, since the African American community tends to see this as a means to segregate schools (and perhaps rightly so) eventually, in an attempt to appear open to all will reduce the standards to the point the only difference between the so called gifted schools and the regular schools is their names.

[The Xl]

This is a terrible idea and part of the problem.

[Peter1469]

Where I went to school the gifted program took the gifted kids out of the classes with the dull kids so they could actually advance to their skill level. What we didn't have is what Adelaide described in another thread- a program to have the gifted kids tutor / mentor the others. I never would have signed up for it back then, but I would now if I could go back and do it again.

[Adelaide]

Where I went to school the gifted program took the gifted kids out of the classes with the dull kids so they could actually advance to their skill level. What we didn't have is what @Adelaide (http://thepoliticalforums.com/member.php?u=473) described in another thread- a program to have the gifted kids tutor / mentor the others. I never would have signed up for it back then, but I would now if I could go back and do it again.

It makes sense to have gifted students tutor students who are in trouble of dropping out. They gave us additional training so that we were also sort of mentors and they considered us peer counselors, where the students/peers we were working with (usually two years younger) could talk to us about things like trouble at home, or drugs, or so whatever was going on that might be stressing them out. The program was a university prep course (considered one) without a class and we were graded by a teacher who would evaluate us by observing and reading reports we would write up based on our progress. It was basically extra credit but it was equal to what would be an AP course in a US high school so it looked good on university applications.

[Max Rockatansky]

I don't get the concept of accepting applications for gifted kindergarteners. I mean, how can someone tell if they are gifted or not?

That said, I really don't care for "gifted" classes being offered to only bright children. Most of the classes are more interesting than regular class and more challenging. Give them all gifted classes.

I don't believe in dumbing classes down to the lowest common denominator and that is exactly what happens when you mix highly intelligent kids with lower than average intelligent kids. How can a teacher successfully maximize every kindergartner's ability if some students are reading "Dick and Jane" while others have to constantly be told not to eat the paste?

Let's not kid ourselves here. "Gifted" mean intelligent. Very intelligent. Liberals talk a lot about "maximizing the ability of every child" but, as seen here, that's bullshit. What they want to do is make every person the same. Since it's easier to make an intelligent person stupid than a stupid person intelligent, the obvious solution (from an American Left-Wing POV) is to put them all in the same class and tell the smart ones to STFU.

This is sad since it truly harms the abilities of bright children by holding them back.

IMO, it's better to separate out the very bright children and those of much lesser intelligence into separate groups from the average kids. This is beneficial for all three groups in that their different needs can be addressed and challenged.

[undine]

I don't believe in dumbing classes down to the lowest common denominator and that is exactly what happens when you mix highly intelligent kids with lower than average intelligent kids. How can a teacher successfully maximize every kindergartner's ability if some students are reading "Dick and Jane" while others have to constantly be told not to eat the paste?

Let's not kid ourselves here. "Gifted" mean intelligent. Very intelligent. Liberals talk a lot about "maximizing the ability of every child" but, as seen here, that's bullshit. What they want to do is make every person the same. Since it's easier to make an intelligent person stupid than a stupid person intelligent, the obvious solution (from an American Left-Wing POV) is to put them all in the same class and tell the smart ones to STFU.

This is sad since it truly harms the abilities of bright children by holding them back.

IMO, it's better to separate out the very bright children and those of much lesser intelligence into separate groups from the average kids. This is beneficial for all three groups in that their different needs can be addressed and challenged.

You can't make an intelligent person stupid. Obviously, you weren't in a gifted program.

Sort them out as you will, but give them all the gifted program. IMO, kids learn better when they are challenged and engaged.

[Mister D]

You can't make an intelligent person stupid. Obviously, you weren't in a gifted program.

Sort them out as you will, but give them all the gifted program. IMO, kids learn better when they are challenged and engaged.

That assumes they care about their education at all. A reckless assumption that.

[Max Rockatansky]

You can't make an intelligent person stupid. Obviously, you weren't in a gifted program.

I'm truly sorry you feel so compelled to make low blows instead of discussing this issue, Undine.

Most intelligent people realize that you can make intelligent people shut the fuck up, like with insults, or limit their education by putting them in classes which are well below their abilities.

[Max Rockatansky]

That assumes they care about their education at all. A reckless assumption that.

Agreed. It's obvious, out of the need to be PC, that their education is being put on the backburner so as not to hurt the feelings of the less gifted children.

Since it's my tax dollars going to help teach the kids in the local area, I want to see the best bang for my buck. If this means breaking kids into different groups to maximize their abilities, so be it.

[undine]

That assumes they care about their education at all. A reckless assumption that.Perhaps. But if they are challenged and engaged it won't matter if they care about their education or not.

[undine]

I'm truly sorry you feel so compelled to make low blows instead of discussing this issue, Undine.

Most intelligent people realize that you can make intelligent people shut the fuck up, like with insults, or limit their education by putting them in classes which are well below their abilities.Maybe you should post more carefully instead of slinging around broad generalizations about liberals.

Stupid is as stupid does. ;)

[Mister D]

Agreed. It's obvious, out of the need to be PC, that their education is being put on the backburner so as not to hurt the feelings of the less gifted children.

Look, we all know what has the progressives in a tizzy. Certain demographics are not performing as well as others. It can't have anything to do with biology or progressive state policies so there must be unfairness somewhere in the system as such. They genuinely believe that all human potential comes down to environmental influences. Equal environment, equal outcome. When you believe something like that you do stupid, unfair, counter-productive shit like this.

[Mister D]

Perhaps. But if they are challenged and engaged it won't matter if they care about their education or not.

If they don't care they probably won't do as well. Seriously, you get that, right?

[undine]

If they don't care they probably won't do as well. Seriously, you get that, right?
You don't have kids, do you? Or you never were a kid.

Even adults, if offered engaging and challenging workloads, can learn.

[Mister D]

You don't have kids, do you? Or you never were a kid.

Even adults, if offered engaging and challenging workloads, can learn.

Yes, they can. That's not the issue.

[Max Rockatansky]

Yes, they can. That's not the issue.

Agreed. The issue is maximizing a child's potential. Parents have no problem separating out the "special needs" kids to give them the special attention they need. It helps the kids with special needs but also helps the other kids for what should be obvious reasons.

The problem with separating out the very bright kids is that parents of normal kids feel their kid(s) are "bright" too, not just "average".

[undine]

Yes, they can. That's not the issue.
Of course it is the issue. Kids are naturally curious. Give them an engaging and challenging subject and they will figure it out.

Why is this so difficult for you?

[undine]

Agreed. The issue is maximizing a child's potential. Parents have no problem separating out the "special needs" kids to give them the special attention they need. It helps the kids with special needs but also helps the other kids for what should be obvious reasons.

The problem with separating out the very bright kids is that parents of normal kids feel their kid(s) are "bright" too, not just "average".

So. then. separate. them. but. give. them. all. a. gifted. program.

Should I type slower?

[Mister D]

Of course it is the issue. Kids are naturally curious. Give them an engaging and challenging subject and they will figure it out.

Why is this so difficult for you?

lol Yeah, you're right. Just challenge them and they will all be excellent students. Glad that's settled.

btw, your snark is about as lame as your argument.

[Mister D]

Agreed. The issue is maximizing a child's potential. Parents have no problem separating out the "special needs" kids to give them the special attention they need. It helps the kids with special needs but also helps the other kids for what should be obvious reasons.

The problem with separating out the very bright kids is that parents of normal kids feel their kid(s) are "bright" too, not just "average".

See, progressives like Undine truly believe all kids are smart and equally capable. Ergo, there must be a magic formula that will them all excellent students.

[undine]

lol Yeah, you're right. Just challenge them and they will all be excellent students. Glad that's settled.

btw, your snark is about as lame as your argument.I didn't say they'd be excellent. I said they would be better.

[undine]

See, progressives like Undine truly believe all kids are smart and equally capable. Ergo, there must be a magic formula that will them all excellent students.
No. That was a lie on your part.

[Mister D]

I didn't say they'd be excellent. I said they would be better.

Who are you arguing with? :laugh:

[Green Arrow]

So, I just realized we're operating under two totally different definitions of "gifted." In my hometown in California, the gifted kids were the special ed kids. Apparently everywhere else, the gifted kids are the super intelligent ones :tongue:

[Max Rockatansky]

So, I just realized we're operating under two totally different definitions of "gifted." In my hometown in California, the gifted kids were the special ed kids. Apparently everywhere else, the gifted kids are the super intelligent ones :tongue:

And that, folks, explains California to a "T". :D

That would be a sugary, touchy-feely thing to call special ed kids. I doubt anyone wants those kids to feel bad about themselves. My problem are those who want gifted, intelligent kids to feel bad and be held back simply because their own kids are "normal".

[Max Rockatansky]

See, progressives like Undine truly believe all kids are smart and equally capable. Ergo, there must be a magic formula that will them all excellent students.

That would be one explanation of why they favor eliminating programs for the intelligently gifted children.

[Mister D]

That would be one explanation of why they favor eliminating programs for the intelligently gifted children.

What's odd is that if I applied that kind of thinking to the football team they'd say I'm a kook.

[Cthulhu]

Maybe you should post more carefully instead of slinging around broad generalizations about .....

Stupid is as stupid does. ;)

Say this out loud, in front of a mirror, 3 three times a day for the next week.

Return if symptoms continue.

[Guerilla]

That assumes they care about their education at all. A reckless assumption that.

Ya kids that are in lower classes are there mostly because they don't care about school. Put them in smart classes where their is more work and they'll just fail harder.

That should be the response to these complaining parents, is to simply put all the other kids in harder classes. Then they'll see their is a reason their kids suck. Probably because they themselves suck and teach their kids poor responsibility by doing things like forcing all the smart kids down to make yourself look better.

BTW I thought anyone could sign up for the smart classes. That's how it is the schools I've gone anyway.

[Max Rockatansky]

What's odd is that if I applied that kind of thinking to the football team they'd say I'm a kook.

True, but that is also an idea I've seen used in some schools; no one is cut from the team and everyone plays. Everyone's a winner! Gold stars and kisses for everyone! Yaaaayyyyy!

Of course, like socialism, it just means those who are the most capable give up trying to do their best since "average" is all that is expected of them. The average think they are special and equal in every way to everyone else. The below average are still trying to eat the paste.

[Mister D]

Ya kids that are in lower classes are there mostly because they don't care about school. Put them in smart classes where their is more work and they'll just fail harder.

That should be the response to these complaining parents, is to simply put all the other kids in harder classes. Then they'll see their is a reason their kids suck. Probably because they themselves suck and teach their kids poor responsibility by doing things like forcing all the smart kids down to make yourself look better.

BTW I thought anyone could sign up for the smart classes. That's how it is the schools I've gone anyway.

Exactly.

[Max Rockatansky]

Ya kids that are in lower classes are there mostly because they don't care about school. Put them in smart classes where their is more work and they'll just fail harder.

That should be the response to these complaining parents, is to simply put all the other kids in harder classes. Then they'll see their is a reason their kids suck. Probably because they themselves suck and teach their kids poor responsibility by doing things like forcing all the smart kids down to make yourself look better.

BTW I thought anyone could sign up for the smart classes. That's how it is the schools I've gone anyway.I like the idea, but I also think these same parents are the ones who'll bitch to the schools for being prejudiced against their kid or playing favorites.

http://imageshack.com/a/img31/6083/6zp1.jpg

[Peter1469]

You can't make an intelligent person stupid. Obviously, you weren't in a gifted program.

Sort them out as you will, but give them all the gifted program. IMO, kids learn better when they are challenged and engaged.

First, you don't have to make an intelligent person stupid if you put them in a class that is bellow their ability.

Second, no an unintelligent child is not going to benefit from being tossed in way over his head in school.

[Green Arrow]

I've always wanted to get into the education field and eventually work my way up to Superintendent of Public Instruction. I don't know if the position is called the same thing in every state, but it's basically the state's top education official. I'd completely overhaul my state's education system. It's broken, nationwide, and needs serious fixing.

[undine]

That would be one explanation of why they favor eliminating programs for the intelligently gifted children.

I don't want to eliminate the programs. I want them offered to everyone. Why do you keep repeating something that you know is not true?

[undine]

Ya kids that are in lower classes are there mostly because they don't care about school. Put them in smart classes where their is more work and they'll just fail harder.

That should be the response to these complaining parents, is to simply put all the other kids in harder classes. Then they'll see their is a reason their kids suck. Probably because they themselves suck and teach their kids poor responsibility by doing things like forcing all the smart kids down to make yourself look better.

BTW I thought anyone could sign up for the smart classes. That's how it is the schools I've gone anyway.
I don't really disagree with this but putting the less intelligent kids in the stupid classes just confirms to them that they are stupid. Put them all in the interesting and challenging classes, like you say.

Why do so many seem to believe that only intelligent children would benefit from interesting classwork?

[zelmo1234]

I've always wanted to get into the education field and eventually work my way up to Superintendent of Public Instruction. I don't know if the position is called the same thing in every state, but it's basically the state's top education official. I'd completely overhaul my state's education system. It's broken, nationwide, and needs serious fixing.

No time like the present to get started? What are you waiting for? I think that you would be great!

[zelmo1234]

I don't really disagree with this but putting the less intelligent kids in the stupid classes just confirms to them that they are stupid. Put them all in the interesting and challenging classes, like you say.

Why do so many seem to believe that only intelligent children would benefit from interesting classwork?

How is that No child left behind thing working out! Not very good.

Schools are broken because not everyone is going to collage. giving someone the ability to count change, and manage money on a fixed income is better for some that algebra!

Teaching someone construction or welding skills is better than having them take AP biology!

The system as we now teach it should be called every child left behind because it does not take into account what the child wants for there life.

for example what if a young person wants to be a cosmetologist! There is no shame in this and it can make you a very good living. So are we better off making this young person take Geometry, creative writing, and psychology to prepare him or her for collage.

Or would we be better off to have them take basic Accounting, business management, biology and work with a local school to get into a trades program so they can come out of high school nearly ready to start their career!

Is the son of a Construction worker planning on going into the family business serves well by all of the No child left behind requirements or would he be better of in a program that takes 2 years off his collage construction courses and helps him pass his contracting license!

It is time that we get the most for our money in each and every department that the government runs and that is likely to mean more local and less federal control

[zelmo1234]

I don't want to eliminate the programs. I want them offered to everyone. Why do you keep repeating something that you know is not true?

You can't toss an average kid into a gifted child program either you have to slow it down for the average child or he will be left in the dust!

For example putting me in to an AP English or writing course and we are in big trouble!

We are not all the same and do not have all the same gifts.

My Son has a friend that is really stupid when it comes to most things but he gets drafting! and is fighting to get through all of the math and regulation aspects of becoming an architect!


He know that he is going to have to take some classes 2 and 3 times but his vision and creativity is off the charts.! He is going to have to struggle to make his dreams come true but is willing to pay the price ?

even though he has talent, he has no place in any gifted class except for possible art or drafting

[Max Rockatansky]

even though he has talent, he has no place in any gifted class except for possible art or drafting

Good point and a good reason why AP classes should exist.

Again, the purpose of our schools should be to maximize the abilities of students. Obviously there is a financial limit to giving each and every child their own teacher and class room, so dividing them into groups is the most practical method. Having AP classes does this.

[Akula]

......This is sad since it truly harms the abilities of bright children by holding them back.

IMO, it's better to separate out the very bright children and those of much lesser intelligence into separate groups from the average kids. This is beneficial for all three groups in that their different needs can be addressed and challenged.

Of course there's also the tragic chance that the gifted group might not contain equal numbers of all races.

[Peter1469]

I don't want to eliminate the programs. I want them offered to everyone. Why do you keep repeating something that you know is not true?

Is your position that all classes should challenge the intellect range of the student?

[Max Rockatansky]

Of course there's also the tragic chance that the gifted group might not contain equal numbers of all races.

In today's environment of unequal access to quality education that is true. However, anyone who assumes the majority of those in such classes would be white isn't fully considering the nature of various cultures.

[Max Rockatansky]

Is your position that all classes should challenge the intellect range of the student?

That's my position. If my income is going to be taxed to educate other people's kids, then I want the best value for my hard work.

[Peter1469]

That's my position. If my income is going to be taxed to educate other people's kids, then I want the best value for my hard work.


True. I think that would require grouping students by ability so you don't end up with those with more being held back while those with less being left behind.

And a lot depends on drive.

[Max Rockatansky]

True. I think that would require grouping students by ability so you don't end up with those with more being held back while those with less being left behind.

Agreed. Using Undine's logic, why not go to the one-room schoolhouse idea; just jam all the kids K-12 into one room that way no one will feel left out.


And a lot depends on drive.True, but it's also a matter of innate ability. Drive, to an extent, can be taught, but not everyone can be an Einstein, a Steinbeck or a da Vinci. It's not in our nation's interests to hold back the Einsteins, Steinbecks and da Vinci's simply because not everyone else can keep up. Likewise, it's not in our nation's best interests to stick a special needs kid in a regular class room only to watch them fall further and further behind thereby creating more and more frustration in them.

[Akula]

Hi Max. Thanks for the reply.


In today's environment of unequal access to quality education that is true.

Who in america has "unequal access" to "quality education" and why?



However, anyone who assumes the majority of those in such classes would be white isn't fully considering the nature of various cultures.

Based on the "nature of various cultures", what do you think the enrollment rates would be?

[Mister D]

If these classes weren't predominantly white or Asian (they are resented too now to some extent) we wouldn't be talking about this.

[Max Rockatansky]

If these classes weren't predominantly white or Asian (they are resented too now to some extent) we wouldn't be talking about this.

Agreed.

As usual, the Left is trying to treat a symptom instead of cure the disease. Their solution to classes of advanced students being predominantly white or Asian is to cancel those classes and stunt the educational growth of these students for reasons not their fault. The actual solution is much harder; provide better access to education for those who don't have it.

Part of the problem comes from the Right; if all schools are locally funded, then it figures that the rich locales will have rich schools and poor locales will have poor schools. Telling a hillbilly family to move their brood from their trailer park in the Appalachians to an upper middle class neighborhood in Raliegh, NC or Colorado Springs (http://www.greatschools.org/find-a-school/moving/slideshows/2287-top-public-schools-large-cities.gs) is unrealistic. Therefore a better solution needs to be found.

[Mister D]

Agreed.

As usual, the Left is trying to treat a symptom instead of cure the disease. Their solution to classes of advanced students being predominantly white or Asian is to cancel those classes and stunt the educational growth of these students for reasons not their fault. The actual solution is much harder; provide better access to education for those who don't have it.

Part of the problem comes from the Right; if all schools are locally funded, then it figures that the rich locales will have rich schools and poor locales will have poor schools. Telling a hillbilly family to move their brood from their trailer park in the Appalachians to an upper middle class neighborhood in Raliegh, NC or Colorado Springs (http://www.greatschools.org/find-a-school/moving/slideshows/2287-top-public-schools-large-cities.gs) is unrealistic. Therefore a better solution needs to be found.

Honestly, I don't think there is a solution if only because I don't think there's a problem.

[Max Rockatansky]

Who in america has "unequal access" to "quality education" and why?For the reasons mentioned above, differing local economic factors.


Based on the "nature of various cultures", what do you think the enrollment rates would be?That would also vary by locale. Student enrollment rate would, no doubt, be higher for students of upper and middle class backgrounds and lower for lower economic backgrounds.

Good schools for all won't solve all the problems since kids from lower economic backgrounds usually face more problems than lack of access to proper education and sufficient educational materials. However, there is only so much that can be expected from society. Good schools provide opportunity. It doesn't guarantee every student will be a success in life.

[Max Rockatansky]

Honestly, I don't think there is a solution if only because I don't think there's a problem.

It's a problem. The problem is finding the best solution. The Left's solution is to shut down access to advanced classes for "gifted" students. The Right's solution is to leave children behind by allowing upper and middle class students be pulled and put into private schools using public tax dollars.

Neither of those solutions best serves our nation IMO.

http://www.ed.gov/blog/2013/01/high-school-graduation-rate-at-highest-level-in-three-decades/

http://www.ed.gov/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Slide4.png

[Mister D]

It's a problem. The problem is finding the best solution. The Left's solution is to shut down access to advanced classes for "gifted" students. The Right's solution is to leave children behind by allowing upper and middle class students be pulled and put into private schools using public tax dollars.

Neither of those solutions best serves our nation IMO.

http://www.ed.gov/blog/2013/01/high-school-graduation-rate-at-highest-level-in-three-decades/

http://www.ed.gov/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Slide4.png

What exactly is the problem? I was referring to the racial disparities that keep liberals up at night.

[Peter1469]

Another solution is for individual parents to do what is necessary to get their children quality education if the public schools in their area are failing or unable to provide their child their educational needs. That may mean homeschooling or private school.

[Max Rockatansky]

What exactly is the problem? I was referring to the racial disparities that keep liberals up at night.

You and I both know the Liberal's perception if the problem is, to put it bluntly, fucked in the head. The problem isn't racial, although as many black leaders have pointed out it could be partially cultural. Worshiping gang-bangers and gangsta rappers isn't conducive to obtaining a good job in Middle Class America. Mostly the problem is economic. Regardless of race, many Americans are stuck in their economic income levels. Not so bad if that's the Middle Class, truly sucky if it's the lower economic levels which is where the problem exists.

I don't agree completely with this author's solutions, but he has certainly tagged the problem(s) correctly:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/markhendrickson/2014/01/31/is-there-a-problem-with-economic-mobility-in-the-u-s/

The sociological and economic literature shows that the two primary causes for a life of chronic poverty are dropping out of high school and single motherhood. Which of President Obama’s many proposals for spending more money addresses those problems? For example, the belief that Obama’s 2012 proposal of compulsory school attendance for all Americans up through age 18 would close the education gap is naive. Those of us who have worked in failing schools know two things: 1) Having bodies present when minds are elsewhere is pointless; 2) a high school diploma often is fraudulent, suggesting a proficiency that simply isn’t there.




http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/economic-mobility-hasnt-changed-in-a-half-century-in-america-economists-declare/2014/01/22/e845db4a-83a2-11e3-8099-9181471f7aaf_story.html

The paper suggests that “it is not true that mobility itself is getting lower,” said Lawrence F. Katz, a Harvard economist and mobility scholar who was not one of the paper’s authors but has reviewed the findings. “What’s really changed is the consequences of it. Because there’s so much inequality, people born near the bottom tend to stay near the bottom, and that’s much more consequential than it was 50 years ago.”

[Max Rockatansky]

Another solution is for individual parents to do what is necessary to get their children quality education if the public schools in their area are failing or unable to provide their child their educational needs. That may mean homeschooling or private school.

If the Left continues to be successful in cancelling advanced classes, then parents should have the option to pull their students out for better schools.

Unfortunately, not all parents of gifted children have that option since, vouchers or not, there are increased costs due to transportation and increased time to transport the student to the better school.

[undine]

Is your position that all classes should challenge the intellect range of the student?It's my position that advanced classes are usually more interesting. For instance, advanced placement kids can build robots and exciting things like that, therefore seeing a use for their knowledge. I think ALL students would benefit from more interesting classes that showed them a use for what they were learning.

[Peter1469]

It's my position that advanced classes are usually more interesting. For instance, advanced placement kids can build robots and exciting things like that, therefore seeing a use for their knowledge. I think ALL students would benefit from more interesting classes that showed them a use for what they were learning.

What about the basics?