Gate?

[Karried]

My 8 year old tested for the Gifted and Talented Program.. and he was accepted.. my question to the teachers or parents of Gate students.. do you think it is a good idea to have him be a part of the program or will it set him apart from the mainstream students? I don't want him to feel 'different' but I do want him to be challenged.

My older son never was tested because he was always in private school in CA and when we moved here for some reason we missed the testing date but he is really sharp ... he is doing well without the Gate program but I think it is a good idea for my younger son ( unless he feels overwhelmed and might not be able to complete his regular class work).

I'm pretty sure I'll put him in the classes but I want advice from others -

Thoughts? Anyone?

[Midtowner]

It was great for me when I was that age. Does it set apart? Yes, but being an "achiever" in school always will. It's not unhealthy at all to start building an expectation in your son that he must outperform the other kids in school. That's not unhealthy at all.

I passed at my school. I haven't seen anything happen as a result so I am dissapointed...but I still passed

[Karried]

Passed meaning you passed up on the program or passed a grade or passed the Gate Testing? What exactly do you mean?

The test. I took it years ago and got at least 95% correct in elementary.