Thank you so much for the recent piece on gifted education. I grew up in Pennsylvania, where gifted education is considered part of the special education spectrum and therefore mandated in public schools.
I was quite surprised to find out that the same is not true in Massachusetts. Indeed, when our daughter was in preschool, we met with the elementary school principal about early entry or academic enrichment, and she actually advised us not to enroll her in public school! We were fortunate to find a private school for her, where she has truly flourished, and where we got to know MaryGrace Stewart.
Speaking as a clinical psychologist, the mother of a gifted child and a former gifted child myself, I believe it is absolutely essential for our public schools to provide formal support for gifted students. No family should be told that their child is not a good fit for public school because the school cannot keep up with the child; nor should schools (like the Northampton school official quoted in the article) shy away from identifying students as gifted for any reason.
In the meantime, I’m very grateful for the work of Ms. Stewart and others in supporting my daughter and other gifted children.
Gillian Woldorf, PhD
South Hadley