So I just read a stoy in the Chicago Tribune, and let's just say it made me nauseous (link to article below). For once, it's not my incessant need to judge others that caused the upchuck reflex, but it's how sad the facts in the article are. It's about how the Chicago Public Schools ("CPS") system has 500 spots available for gifted and talented kindergarteners, and over 3,300 applicants for the spots. Let's ignore for the moment the fact that
all kindergarteners are gifted and talented. That is an insane number of applicants for an insanely small number of spots. Keep in mind, also, that these are for CPS spots--those Chicago kids whose parents can afford private or choose parochial schools aren't included. Nor are the countless kids whose parents dragged them to the suburbs before they could have a say (kidding, 95% of my friends). 3,300 kids; kids whose futures are being debated by strangers, based on their potential at 5 years old. It's mind-blowing. So what's a parent to do? According to the article, hire a tutor. Excellent.
To say that navigating the schooling dilemma when you live in a city is difficult is like saying Lindsey Lohan has a few selfish tendancies--it's an understatement. But what is a parent to do? If you're hiring tutors (many for thousands of dollars) to teach someone who thinks boogers should be named, isn't that money better spent on tuition at a school in which you
don't have to have any qualifying credentials apart from an American Express? Do you just take your chances on the regular CPS classes, and actually have money to buy such extravagant things as dinner or rent? But then again, is it fair to chance your kid getting lost in a CPS system so big, it dwarfs the entire population of my home state of Montana? Or does it make a difference?
What are your thoughts, dear readers? Are the contents of this article rational? Are there solutions? I'd love to hear what you think....
Chicago Tribune Article
Frankly, I think it is disturbing that children are labeled as "gifted" or not and put on that academic track in kindergarten. The fact that a child's education is decided by how easily he identified the block with the blue "B" on it is horrific. Not to mention the fact that children at that age are prone to shifts in mood, etc. If your child missed a nap or has a bit of a sore throat, he can have an off day and be put on track to be a gas station attendant. How long should a person be punished for not being a stellar kindergartener? Let's face it - they are all eating paste and picking their noses at that stage.
ReplyDeleteExcellent point. Playing devil's advocate, (because it's fun), with so few resources to spend on kids period, how do you sparingly use resources to give kids with a genuine interest in learning the leg up that they need to compete with the private school kids? If there's only enough in the budget to finance programs for 500 kids, do you give up and spend the money elsewhere? Or do you try to pinpoint 500 lucky ones to keep them on par with kids whose parents happen to be able to afford a "better" education? And is that education really better, simply because it has more resources?
ReplyDeleteBut, the 4 year old kids who are going to do the best on tests are likely testing so well because they have active, involved parents. I think interest in learning/education is taught and not innate. Those same active, involved parents will likely help their children supplement their education moving forward. I think the testing system, at this early in the game, just further disadvantages the disadvantaged kids. I do think that gifted programs are great for older children. But rather than segregate children at this young age, I think the funds could be more evenly disbursed over the first few grades to give all the students the opportunity to become engaged in their education.
ReplyDeleteI agree regarding the age issue. But not so sure on the "nature vs nurture" front. Or, rather, I hope not. So many parents today find it hard to make a living and be involved in their children's growth every minute of the day. Are their kids then S.O.L?
ReplyDelete