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Topic: Should gifted students skip grades

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11

jenniferdawnw

I definitely agree with the majority.  I have taught middle school for 10 years now and have only seen this happen twice. They were two boys.  One boy was moved up two grade levels and would sit in his desk indian style while sitting on his feet.  You can only imagine the ridicule that took place.  The other boy was moved up one grade level and only made one friend by the end of the year.  The social immaturity was too noticable.  You can also imagine talking to students in an 8th grade science class about age appropriate material and the deer in the headlights look these two boys would have.  I personally would not want my son hearing material an 8th graders might hear in science class, until he is in 8th grade.

12

teacherof7

I believe that it would be beneficial only if the student is academically gifted, but also mature for their age.  I wouldn't recommend this in a middle school setting, but possibly elementary or high school.

13

teach205

Only if the maturity level of the student is considered

14

Skipping a grade would have a negative impact on the child. Think of the social skills they lack. Also they'll lose the friendships they've made over the years. Older students will probably look down on the student and grade level peers might be jealous and negative towards the student.

If this were being considered, it would need to be the decision of all teachers, parents, administration, and the child. They would need to be exceeding in all their classes and it needs to be consistent.

I would highly advise not letting students skip a grade. There are other incentive for doing well in school. Also the students needs could be met in the regular classroom by differentiating. For instance in English the student could read a novel at a higher reading level. Other students would benefit as well. If this student still isn't challenged, their parents need to enroll them in a gifted and talented program either in a school setting or through a private organization.

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18

My school segregates students by intelligence. Sometimes this method of separating students by how intellectually "gifted" they are is called, innocuously, "tracking." It has very much the same effect and purpose as skipping grades.

I revile the whole idea. It's as if school was only about how intelligent one is. Forget about manners and social skills, emotional intelligence and maturity or nurturing cooperation and kindness. If a child is skipped a grade because he is more intelligent or "gifted" than his peers, the school is saying, Let's forget about the social connections and support groups you have built up over all the previous years... it's of little consequence what they may offer you in your overall development and what you may have to offer them. Your intelligence is what is of the utmost importance to you and to us, so let's put you in a class of kids just like you.

How near-sighted and unfortunate.

And by the way, skipping grades or moving a child into a special, "gifted" class is often prompted by certain over-achieving  and goal-oriented parents. How near-sighted and unfortunate of them, too.

19

readerofbooks

There is not one answer that would satisfy each situation. It really is up to the parents, children as they assess the school as well as the benefits and negative. My teachers wanted me to skip a grade, but my parents did not want to. I think they made good decision, since I was not ready in terms of maturity.

20

i have been asked if i wanted to skip a grade but i declined because i wanted to stay with my friends but it ended up being a good thing because i still ended up learning things i didnt know before and i also was able to help my classmates with things they didnt understand but i did. :)

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