We were very interested in the articles on education in the March issue of Spectrum. Our gifted 9th grader is being tested under PL 94-142 to see if he has a learning disablilty. If none is found we will pursue services under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. In many states gifted and talented children are viewed as having special needs and are protected under the same laws which pertain to handicapped children. Unfortunately, in Texas, one has to have a disability to receive free appropriate education.

We are especially angry that we have struggled with him through ten years of schooling while Tyler ISD [Independent School District] people knew their obligation under the law, but withheld from us the information we needed to get him the educational opportunities to which he is entitled. When I contacted the diagnostician at the end of this first 6 weeks, she wondered why I was concerned since my child was only failing one course!

Our brightest young people deserve an even playing field. When their mental age is far beyond their peers, modifications are needed for them to be able to achieve at or near their potential. To expect a child whose mental age is 9 or 10 to quietly and cooperatively perform the same tasks at the same rate as "average" 5 year olds is unreasonable, at least. Yet our child has been labled as lazy and a discipline problem. More challenging work has been held out as a reward until he agrees to do the same work as the other kids in his class. I honestly don't know if he will be able to overcome the poor start and damage to his self-esteem caused by this treatment.

I don't know how similar our experience is to that of other parents of exceptional children. My guess is that although our children may be unusual, their treatment in the public schools is not. I would like to generate a grass roots movement among parents of gifted and talented children that would force our schools to recognize their needs as being as valid as those of children "handicapped" on the other end of the spectrum. Our experience with the local FRIENDS OF THE GIFTED has been that their main function is to support the school district's Target program, which has been woefully inadequate for my children. I'm ready to be involved in something less dedicated to cooperating with the system that has caused my child to feel he has wasted 9 years of his life.

Thanks to parent advocates Dorothy Hull and Rachel Beard (Marshall) we are empowered to wage our battle with Tyler ISD. There are "at risk" funds available to do whatever it takes to ensure that every child has a chance to finish school. Who could be more at risk than a talented child who happens to be a divergent thinker, and early on is labeled as lazy and oppositional? I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has been or would like to be involved in an effort to have their children's needs recognized!