This is in response to duketip, date, Jan.06.06. I am from Michigan and am of Mexican American heritage. I apologize in advance as I am not particularly sane about this topic. I have two children identified as Gifted and Talented. I have recently joined the Michigan Alliance for the Gifted and Talented. My son has been 'tagged' by the Midwest Talent Search out of Northwestern University. He is 11 years old and will be taking the SAT at the end of January. My daughter is nine years old and has not been officially identified by any talent programs. She excells at pretty much everything she does, but attends charter school where they use their own tests, as opposed to the IOWA, etc. Having a gifted child is a battle. I don't mean to be blunt, but all I seem to do is battle my daughter's school to keep her challenged. First grade--she read the dictionary to keep herself busy. Second grade--she became the teacher's aide (the teacher's words, not mine). Third grade--more reading from her desk and a very unhappy child. Fourth grade--reads at her desk most of the day, writes short stories at home, started a business this past summer and started a school newspaper this fall. I have a master's degree and my husband has a Ph.D. and we are frequently at our wits end over our children. It is about all we can do to stay a half step ahead of them. Joining the Michigan Alliance for the Gifted and Talented has returned me to some degree of normalcy. That being said:

I think you are up against several things as far as progams for G/T and Hispanics. The following is my perspective: The problem may be information. Is your information going to whom it's supposed to be going? Is your information easy to understand, yet thorough in its explanations, so all parents can easily understand what your program is? Are the school counselors getting the information to the parents and are they helping parents understand it? Are the students being encouraged to return necessary forms, etc.? Is your information even making it out of the counselor's mail pile? And if it is, is the envelope being opened? I also think schools tag kids who are at the high end of G/T as opposed to realizing there is a range of G/T. Hence, only the brainiacs get in G/T programs. I'm not sure teachers and counselors realize the depth and scope of G/T.

My experience is that schools are overwhelmed with students in general, let alone identifying G/T. Also, let's not forget that EI/LD get the cake and G/T gets the crumbs. Further, do parents know how to advocate for their children? I was very frustrated until I joined the MIGT. I have finally learned it's my job to advocate for my kids. I have also finally learned that having G/T children is nothing to be ashamed of. That was a cultural issue of mine--I couldn't talk about the good stuff. I am learning to be outwardly proud of them--and that it's okay to have G/T children.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I know Hispanic parents value and care a great deal about their children's education. However, there are many cultural and economic barriers and language would (in my opinion) be the least of those barriers. As a parent with G/T children I was left for years wondering what in God's name I was supposed to do with them. I can not tell you how frustrated I was. Having a G/T child is a lot like having a special needs child--except you get a lot more help when your child is actually identified as LD/EI. G/T parents and children are left on their own. When kids are smart we think they can figure it all out by themselves.

Good luck in your endeavors and please don't give up. I would be happy to be of further assistance to you. Please feel free to contact me at (734) 487-9879. Sincerely, Helena Solano, MA, LPC