There are some traditional school districts offering gifted and talented classes that cater to exceptional students. They are placed with other exceptional students so that they can learn to their full potential.  Kudos to these school districts which are willing and able to provide special education classes financially, and more so, for the sake of recognizing the needs of these gifted and talented students.

While some would like to offer such facility, they cannot due to lack of funds or manpower. What they can do if they cannot allow these students to accelerate is to provide enrichment for them. The enrichment classes will last only thirty to forty-five minutes a week and run under the special education department.  The dilemma, however, is when you tell the student to go to their “special ed” class.  These students do to feel “different” because they already know they are.

To cater to the needs of these students, it is important to acknowledge there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the unique challenges of dealing with these gifted students.  They are in a traditional classroom and creating a non-traditional learning situation is not a magic pill that will just automatically and immediately bring in appropriate and desired results for them. Bear in mind that it is crucial to recognize their “different-ness” without drawing attention to it.

Special education should always provide gifted students time to pursuit their gift.  If they excel in science, let them accelerate and spend more time chasing more complicated science. Do the same in any subject they excel in. Also remember that they are children.  They may have abilities beyond those of an average student, but they still have concerns and issues with friends, hormones, and life, just like any kid out there. 

By: Charito R. Balagasay | Teacher III | Pilar Elementary School | Pilar, Bataan