Accept the Gifted Challenge

There are numerous program options for the gifted. Yet the decision for which program is right for an individual school district remains a question.

There are many characterisics which manifest themselves in the gifted. Yet there is no proof that similar characteristics be present in all identified gifted.

There are many means of identification of the gifted. Yet there is no universally accepted procedure.

There is the future to be considered for the gifted. Yet the direction and attitudes for the gifted seem confusing.

The responsibility of educating the gifted is the responsibility of the public school systems. Yet the parent of a gifted child will ultimately shoulder the responsibility of educational decisions for their gifted child.

A gifted child should mature and become a vital part of society. Yet the ultimate responsibility of guiding and nurturing is left to the parent.

Being a parent is not an easy role to assume. Being a parent of a gifted child is not any easier or harder than being a parent of any other child. However, being a parent of a gifted child is different. Different because the role of gifted parents and their responsibilities is not well defined.

The role of the parent in child rearing is to provide his/her child with the guidance, nurturance, and educational experiences necessary to mature into a contributing member of society. In order to assume this role and act on his responsibility,a parent must be informed as to recent trends and attitudes in education and child rearing.

This is a difficult task for any parent. However, this task takes on a new dimension when her child is identified as gifted, even though a parent may believe and see signs of giftedness before the child enters a formal educational setting. Parents then begin to doubt their capabilities even though specific goals of parenting remain the same.

Parents are given advice by "experts" as to what is best for their child. They are confused as to the implications that rearing a gited child will bring. Some parents begin to doubt their ability to effectively parent. They wonder if "average" parents can effectively parent a gifted child. They wonder which expert to believe or what program is best. They aren't sure of the laws or their rights within them. They fear that their expectations of their child will be to high or fall too short.

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