[Ohiogift] GIFTED SERVICES IN OHIO: ONE GIANT LEAP BACKWARDS

[Sandra Warren]

Dear Ann, Educators and Parents of Ohio's Gifted Children,

I am saddened and disheartened by what I'm reading on Ohiogift, about the
proposed changes in services for Gifted children. It seems incredible that
in 2013, State school administrators and legislators could be a part of
such a gigantic leap backwards. And I have to wonder, WHERE ARE THE
PARENTS, AND, WHY ARE THEY LETTING THIS HAPPEN?

Too harsh, you say? I don't think so. Schools have traditionally supplied
services demanded by the public. One only needs to look at the history of
services for Special Education which came about because back in the 1960's
and 1970's, PARENTS got together and demanded them. Those services became
guaranteed via Public Law 94-142. Now, I may have the years mixed up and I
know Public Law 94-142 has changed but what hasn't changed is society's
commitment to the needs of Special Education Children. AND RIGHTLY SO! I'm
not here to say anything against that. I use it only as a case in point.
Nothing changed until PARENTS made the difference.

When the Public, who in this case happen to be the PARENTS OF THE GIFTED,
won't step forward and rally for their own children, new services become
non-existent and the few services that do exist and the budgets that
support them, get the axe. By the way, the services that do exist, ONLY
exist because years ago parents rallied and demanded them.

Yes, it's a battle, the biggest being the MYTHS about the population of the
Gifted. Egos take the place of the scientific evidence and research that
shows over and over again, even going back as far as the 1920's with the
work of Leta Hollingsworth, that gifted children learn and socialize
differently than others and NEED diversified education and services taught
by educators trained in that diversification. Not more or better
educational services, just different services.

PARENTS - YOU need to become knowledgeable and FIGHT for your GIFTED CHILD.
FIGHT AS IF THEIR FOOTBALL PROGRAM WAS BEING TAKEN AWAY! How great would
your school's football team be if they were only allowed to practice ONE
HOUR A WEEK! I'll bet you wouldn't stand for that.

Remember: Your children are gifted 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. It's
ridiculous for your school to only allow them to be who they are one-hour a
week.

YES, getting involved takes time! But then, anything worth while takes time
and aren't your children worth it?

Listen to ANN SHELDON! She's been working hard for years and I'm sure has
been having many sleepless nights over these changes that will affect YOUR
GIFTED CHILD...yes...YOUR GIFTED CHILD! Ann herself is a parent of gifted
children and came to her position to fight for YOUR gifted child after
fighting for years for her own. Her passion for appropriate services for
her children afforded her the opportunity to fight for yours! Stand tall
with her. She needs each and every one of you.

At the LEAST: email the legislators she's asked you to email. How long does
it take to draft one letter and email it to the list of public servants?
15-minutes maybe?
BETTER YET: SHOW up and STAND UP to be counted at the hearings. When 15 to
20 show up, legislators take notice. Imagine hundreds storming their
doorsteps!
EVEN BETTER YET: Bring your gifted child with you. Let them tell
legislators what it will mean to lose their gifted program.
EVEN BETTER YET:  Rally other parents in your school system, your
neighborhood, your town.
START a Parents of the Gifted Group so you can learn how to dis-spell the
myths and ask for the support appropriate services your child needs.
JOIN OAGC--The Ohio Association for Gifted Children--a group that has it
roots in the Cleveland Major Work Program way back in the 1930's, give or
take a few years, so you be a part of a state, national and world network
of parents and educators working hard for gifted children.

Ohio parents of the gifted: Please don't let these changes happen. Your
child's appropriate education hangs in the balance. Get involved.

Parents have ALL the Power, if they'll just use it!

Sandra


















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