3 ms·

I remember when I was a kid in Portland, OR public schools, the district figured out a way to teach me algebra in 4th grade. The rules (or laws, I can't rememb

I remember when I was a kid in Portland, OR public schools, the district figured out a way to teach me algebra in 4th grade. The rules (or laws, I can't remember) mandated that the district make accommodations to teach students at the appropriate rate and level. The pendulum seems to swing back and forth, however. There are parents that insist that their child is gifted, enough parents to cause trouble with school boards. For one of my friends, apparently his parents requested that he not be placed in the same class as me, because I was better than him in one or two disciplines. Parents are crazy. I understand the desire to succeed, but I can't relate to people who want to be the smartest person in the room.

bluejekyll 10y ago
Are you sure it was because they wanted him to be the smartest in the room, and not that they were trying to make sure that he wasn't stressed out learning at a pace that he wasn't ready for?
- dietrichepp 10y ago
  The classes weren't separated by ability, so he would have been learning at the same pace had he been placed in my class.
wj 10y ago
I also grew up in the Portland area and had a "TAG" program for the fourth and fifth grades. Due to a state law that changed the way state funds were allocated amongst districts it was discontinued prior to the sixth grade (along with the sixth grade trip). I went from being challenged to completely bored and starting getting in a lot of trouble which was something that lasted through middle school. My oldest child is still a year away from kindergarten and from the conversations I have had with elementary school administrators it sounds like they don't really have any formal plan to handle kids that are more advanced in certain subjects. They definitely don't use the terms "talented" or "gifted" anymore. Not sure if my child would be qualified for a program like that in the future but it would be good to know that it was be available.
- dietrichepp 10y ago
  I think you're talking about Oregon ballot measure 5 in 1990, which reduced public school funding. This eliminated the TAG program which would send TAG students to different schools part time. From what I understand, TAG still exists, and the legal mandate still exists, but you have to push for it and know how to play the system.

bluejekyll 10y ago

Are you sure it was because they wanted him to be the smartest in the room, and not that they were trying to make sure that he wasn't stressed out learning at a pace that he wasn't ready for?

dietrichepp 10y ago
The classes weren't separated by ability, so he would have been learning at the same pace had he been placed in my class.

wj 10y ago

I also grew up in the Portland area and had a "TAG" program for the fourth and fifth grades. Due to a state law that changed the way state funds were allocated amongst districts it was discontinued prior to the sixth grade (along with the sixth grade trip). I went from being challenged to completely bored and starting getting in a lot of trouble which was something that lasted through middle school. My oldest child is still a year away from kindergarten and from the conversations I have had with elementary school administrators it sounds like they don't really have any formal plan to handle kids that are more advanced in certain subjects. They definitely don't use the terms "talented" or "gifted" anymore. Not sure if my child would be qualified for a program like that in the future but it would be good to know that it was be available.

dietrichepp 10y ago
I think you're talking about Oregon ballot measure 5 in 1990, which reduced public school funding. This eliminated the TAG program which would send TAG students to different schools part time. From what I understand, TAG still exists, and the legal mandate still exists, but you have to push for it and know how to play the system.