I am an advocate for gifted programs. Now what?

 

Dear Gifted Program Advocates,

What is the gifted program? According to the National Association for Gifted Children website, "Students with gifts and talents perform—or have the capability to perform—at higher levels compared to others of the same age, experience, and environment in one or more domains. They require modification(s) to their educational experience(s) to learn and realize their potential." 

While searching for advocate groups of the Gifted Program in public schools, I came across this one group of about 50 adults, who back in 2013 banded together to become a voice for the gifted students in their community, forming The Washington County Association. 

"A group of concerned adults, parents, and teachers have been working for months to organize the Washington County Association for Gifted Children and affiliate it with the Utah Association for Gifted Children." They support the Utah Association for Gifted Children and perform such tasks as planning and conducting an informational “Creativity Night” for parents, Creating a newsletter to let others know your concerns, issues, and accomplishments. The full list is here. 

In accordance with your states Association for Gifted Children, It is my sincere desire that you are inspired to be a voice for your students who are quickly losing their own. When you put the call out to your friends and neighbors you will quickly see that you are not alone and that there are others who are willing to stand by your side and advocate for the gifted children in your families and schools not get pushed aside and forgotten. Worse yet, purposefully held back from reaching their highest potential in an academic atmosphere. 

Your children deserve the scaffolding to help them reach their highest potential, and just because they are already in the higher percentile of academic excellence, does that mean they should not be given the extension of the hand to assist them to reach the top of their goal? Taking away the gifted programs because your children are already doing well academically is unreasonable and unfair. 

I have included a link for ideas on what you can do as a group to help raise awareness for the need for Gifted Programs which will reach the local community, the administration of county public schools, and lawmakers alike.  Do not underestimate the power of a small spark. When you ignite this fire, the winds will spread it, and your children will have just as much of a chance to grow academically as they are given the opportunity and support to do so.

Where do you begin? Start talking to your child's administrators and teachers to see what sort of programs your local school offers. If there is already a foundation, you can offer your support to help expand what is already there. If there is not a Gifted Program, you can search for your State's Gifted Program and join forces with them to make a Gifted Program become a reality for the students in your area. 

Remember, if you aren't a voice for your children, there are others who will silence them. Be their fighter, their armor-bearers, their voice!  


- Carlie Watt
(Teacher Candidate)


Works Cited

“What Is Giftedness?” What Is Giftedness? | National Association for Gifted Children, National       
            Association for Gifted Children, 2022, http://www.nagc.org/resources-publications/resources/
            what-giftedness.

Wright, Leo. “Washington County Association for Gifted Children Organizing.” Washington County
            Association for Gifted Children Organizing, St George News, 15 May 2013,
            https://www.stgeorgeutah. com/news/archive/2013/05/15/wright-washington-county-
            association-for-gifted-children-organizing/#.YjENyXrMKUk.

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