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| Cheyenne during a Lego League competition. |
With so many schools cutting after school programs in order to gain
funding for other “more important things,” it seems even harder for those
parents with “gifted” students to find activities that interest and keep their
children engaged in the learning environment.” It is imperative that parents
and educators provide academic and social support to high-potential students
from low-income families. Out-of-school enrichment programs like Saturday
programs are suggested for high-potential students from low-income families due
to these experiences positively influencing students’ achievement levels, in
advanced courses, and decisions to pursue a college degree” (Gentry &
Miller, 2010).
The purpose behind writing this proposal
is to shine a spotlight on the need for Learning Enrichment and Accelerated
Programs (LEAP) in every school. So that “gifted” children have other facets
that allow them to put what they learn in classes to use in the outside world
and future, and provide a reason(s) why gifted education, the Learning
Enrichment and Accelerated program should not get their funding cut.
“The goal of LEAP is to nurture the gifts
and abilities of our academically talented students.
In
1973, the General Assembly recognized a limited number of academically advanced
students whose mental capacity and learning potential is advanced. They need
services beyond the level of those ordinarily provided” (Waynesville R-VI,
2014). “The attendance of gifted is a challenge for many schools. The inclusion
of these children is very difficult because many teachers are not prepared to
develop an interesting and creative teaching to attend their special needs. It
is important to consider "every human being as an integral and different
individual because each person has his/her unique characteristics of
personality" (Piske, Stoltz, & Machado, 2014: p. 348).
“The intent was to increase the educational
opportunities available for students identified as gifted. In 1979, the
Waynesville School District initiated LEAP (Learning Enrichment and
Acceleration Program) for identified gifted students. The first year 35
students were educated in grades one through six. The district continued to
expand the program and currently serves students K-12. For instructional and personal
purposes LEAP split into five components: grades K-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, and 9-12”
(Waynesville R-VI, 2014). “According to Piske & Stoltz (2013), it is
important that schools know how to provide for gifted students an education
that enables a good social and emotional development respecting their limits,
their capabilities and their feelings. Each student is different and has many
singularities. It is essential to accept their differences and allow their
progress in the school context” (Piske & Stoltz, 2012, 2013).
