Will, Emma (SEN)
From:	RParsons66@aol.com
Sent:	Wednesday, 7 March 2001 4:53 PM
To:	eet.sen@aph.gov.au
Subject:	Senate Committee of Inquiry into the Education of Gifted and  Talented Children
Senate Committee of Inquiry into the Education of Gifted and 
Talented Children:
Submission

Name: Rebecca Parsons
Phone: 08 9361 9723
Postal Address: 20 Hayman Road, Bentley, WA 6102

Questionnaire:

My answers are based upon the schooling that my children are receiving and 
may or may not be true of all gifted children in the school that they attend.

1.  Does your child have access to an appropriate education?
Y/N  [ y ]

2.  Do you feel that regular teachers at your school have the 
training that is needed to teach gifted children?
Y/N  [ y, some do, and where there isn't PD training there are still great 
attitudes ]

3.  Part of the government's strategy for the education of gifted and
talented students is that: `After 1995 all schools, where feasible, 
should
seek to emply at least one teacher who has training in the 
education of
gited and talented students.' Are any of the teachers at your school
trained in the education of gifed and talented students? Y/N  [ y, through PD 
]

4.  How many teachers at your school appear to understand the 
academic, social, and emotional needs of the gifted child?
A = No teachers   B = Some teachers  C = All teachers
[ c ]

5. How many teachers at your school are approachable with 
respect to gifted issues?
A = No teachers   B = Some teachers  C = All teachers
[ c ]

6.  Does your school use a proceedure to identify students of high 
potential?
Y/N  [ y ]

7.  Is it common for gifted children in your school to receive a 
curriculum that is different from the non-gifted students in the 
classroom?
Y/N  [ y, in my experience ]

8.  Is accelerated progression through grades an option for gifted 
students at your school?
Y/N  [ y ]

9.  Which subject(s) are taught using ability grouping?
A = None   B = Mathe   C = Reading   D = Other   E = More than 
one subject
[e ]

10.  Does your school provide mentorships for gifted studnets?
Y/N  [n ]

11.  Do you believe that your gifted child's education has been 
damaging to his/her social and emotional well-being?
Y/N  [ n ]

12.  Please indicate which of the following you believe would assist
gifted children in your school: a)  All teacher qualifications should
include training in the education of gifted and talented students Y/N 
 [ y]

b)  Implementing a proceedure to identify students of high potential
Y/N  [ they are already ]

c)  Ability grouping in regular classes
Y/N  [ y ]

d)  Allowing accelerated progression through the grades
Y/N  [ y, already happening ]

e)  Compacting curriculum within regular classes
Y/N  [ y ]

f)  Providing mentorships for gifted students
Y/N  [ y ]

g)  Special classes for gifted children to allow compacting of 
curriculum and enrichment opportunities
Y/N  [ y, although I can not see how this would work in a very small school ]

h)  Extra funding for gifted education [y, though not to the detriment of 
other areas of special needs]

Append any other comments below:

My children go to a great school where the Principle and teachers have great 
attitudes, are open and we work together. It is a small private christian 
school, at present only primary. They are prepared to be flexible and try to 
asses every individuals childs needs, rather than work within a rigid policy. 
We are very happy there. I am, however, aware from others that this is not 
always the case in other schools for gifted children.