I am PTO President at an Elementary School (K-5) with approximately 800 students. Our program is called "AIG" which stands for Academically & Intellectually Gifted. Students are identified (tested) in Kindergarten and the program begins in First Grade, however ALL students are tested in Third Grade regardless of teacher recommendations. We have two teachers trained specifically for this program. One teacher does only Third Grade students (due to size) one day a week. All other students are also pulled out once a week for approximately 30 minutes. I personally don't think this is enough time, but it is better than nothing. We also have two other programs called "Math Superstars" and "Junior Great Books" (Reading). These programs are offered to students who excel in Math or Reading accordingly, from Kindergarten through Fifth Grade. These extra programs are taught by parent volunteers who have been trained. Hope this helps - Good Luck!

Ours is also called "Challenge". We have done it both ways. Last year, the children had a certain time each day when they left their regular class to go to Challenge. This year, we have it so that there is one classroom, if needed, for each grade.
There was a real problem with the first way, because A) it disrupted the homeroom class and what I thought was a bigger problem, it singles out children as different. Yes, it is cool to be smart, but it shouldn't make any other child feel badly. I know that my own son (who tested for the program at the school's request) scored in the 99% for math, 98% for reading and comprehension and "only" 97% for english, which meant that he didn't make it (have to be 98% or better in all 3). So, is he 'gifted'? Yes. Is he gifted enough? Not for our district. Did one of his friends score better? Yes. Is he smarter than my child? Maybe, maybe not, but my child feels that his buddy is smarter and his buddy feels he is smarter and we are just talking one percentile point!
This year, they have the children who scored as "gifted" in separate classrooms. The classrooms are smaller (average 20 children vs 25 children) and it seems to be working out better for our school. The only problem I have with the classrooms is that, as one 'gifted' instructor said, <blockquote>quote:</font><hr> we put all the gifted kids together and then fill it up with the others. <hr></blockquote>. This is because there aren't always 20 gifted per grade per year. Well, I don't want my son listed as or treated as one of "the others".
The only other thing is that this is something the school district does. It is not a PTO sponsored 'thing'. We do not handle Title I or Challenge programs. We treat all classes the same because they all have ALL OF OUR Children in them.

Special Note to SusieQ: I think that Challenge programs are great. I just wish school districts would find a way so that the children who aren't in them don't feel inferior. I find it absolutely amazing that a district as large as yours doesn't have one. Here is an idea: If you have a Title I program, find out how it got approved. My bet is that it was approved because of what it could do for the school and it's tax (and other) dollars. Take a look at different Grant possibilities based on being a Title I AND a Gifted school. You may find that the best way to get something like the Gifted program is to show the district how it looks on their bottom line, ie: SHOW THEM THE MONEY!!! LOL!

[ 03-30-2002: Message edited by: TheMetzyMom ]</p>

Our district calls this program The Challange Program. Children are screened in first grade -- so the 1st opportunity to be in a challange class would be 2nd grade.(children can be screened every year if their parents wish or their teachers feel the need) The children are in a challange class where certain subjects are accelarated. Meaning the subject is taught at a faster pace so that students will end the year ahead of the standard classes. I also recall that there was more "hands on" learning and real cool field trips. Challange classes are seperate from the standard classes. Challange classes are only offered in a few schools, so some students must be bused to a school other than thier home school. That is about all I know off the top of my head.

Okay--I am the pres of the elementary PTA of @1000 students. Curently our district of about 15,000 srtudents has no elementary gifted & talented program. We are in the process of presenting the request to the Board of Education but we have some inside scoop on the resistance we are going to meet from the Superintendent i need some help-1st question I need some names that schools are using in place of gifted & Talented. Our superintendent is dead set against the name of gifted an talented.
2nd If any of the elementary school PTO's/PTAA's & other groups out there have an elementary Gifted & talented program how does it work? Is it a pull out program where the student only receives the area that they are advanced for? Are the kids in a special class for the entire day regardless of what they may be stronger in?
Are your teachers accredited in teaching gifted & talented? What classes are offered in the elem level for gifted & talented..

Thank you all who respond..You can alos email me with any info..We need to get our battle plan set, becuz our parents who are in junior high and High school have advised us they too have tried to get the program in the elem level and weren't successful..