I just moved here from NJ, my child needs enrichment or a gifted program.

Hi Isefia, your school offers no enrichment or just for the upper grades? According to NJ state law a child that exceeds his classmates in one or more areas of study is entitled to enrichment (they don't specify how class etc). By law your child doesn't require testing either only that his grades/classwork be higher than his peers. Ny however, has no such law and doesn't have to offer a gifted program or enrichment (no child left behind is a joke here). When I was in NJ I contacted the principal, vice principal etc, they just didn't have the funds for that kind of program, but were able to give him extra class work. The 3rd graders on up did have an enrichment program, I wasn't thrilled but they at least spoke with me and wanted to help. I am taking the private school route here because it's a battle I don't think I can win today.
Many children here who have been tested and are eligible for enrichment do not get it due to lack of funding. I was told that even if my son takes the test next year and is eligible he may have to go to a school in the bronx or manhattan, eventhough his school offers it. It's bueracracy I guess Im a self made person, who the system has never worked for. Im looking to start a program in the future for kids who fall between the cracks, I will most likely have to wait till I retire. Thanks for speaking out! Togelther we can stay informed share ideas and make some change!

I live in New Jersey and I've been having the same problem. I honestly don't know why most schools don't take pride in knowing they have gifted children in their midst. I just don't get it, it's almost as if they are structured to make a child ashamed for his/her God given talents. Most of the good enrichment programs I find cost an arm and a leg, which hurts if you already as a parent struggle to send your child to a private school in the first place. Like one of the parents advised, please in the meantime try to encourage your child's potentials yourself by going online and looking for advanced worksheets, frequent visits to the library, in short spend some time a day homeschooling your child when he/she gets back from school, so as to ensure that you are continually fueling the child's interests.

Hi , yes I have my son in a local college on the weekends, (I had to pay of course). He learns a lot from the Hw, but the teacher's english isn't so good and my son doesn't want to go because he can't understand him. I make him go any way because of what he gets from the Hw. I called my district 31 and asked them what enrichment programs are available and they said none then hung up on me! NY school system S%@cks! I am getting depressed fighting the system that doesn't work and have decided to put my son in a private Christian school, not that I can really afford it being a single mom,but I feel if I have to go without a phone or tv then so be it.

You might see if a local teaching college has any classes for gifted children....sometimes their "teachers in training" offer weekend programs. Not everything has to be "formally organized" enrichment, either...A trip to the local library, with a goal of finding information to plant a vegetable garden, or attract certain birds/butterflies to your yard, or planning your summer vacation to XYZ place, can all be great learning opportunities, especially when they see "knowledge in action" (when you actually go to the flower shop, or take the trip, kids have a great sense of accomplishment.) You can incorporate math and science and all sorts of things into these "unofficial lessons." (ie, what temperature zone do you live in, how many plants can you put in a 6 ft. square garden if they have to be 4 inches apart, etc.)