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Beware of Teaching Methods That Focus on Test-Taking
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This is one of the most interesting and useful letters I have received from a parent. It proves once again the value of never accepting anything being done to your child that seems bad, or in this case insane, without further investigation. I hope you are not blaming AP for what this teacher was doing. This kind of stuff was going on long before AP; thankfully, not that frequently. All kinds of people, even me, develop odd ways of doing our jobs that make sense to us but are, on close examination, absolutely nuts. That needs to be pointed out to us. In that spirit, I wonder whether any other parents have run into teaching methods that seemed to do great harm, and what they did about them.
Dear Extra Credit:
I don't know how many e-mails you got in response to your articles on gifted children, but just in case anyone looks to you for information, please know that I credit Johns Hopkins' Center for Talented Youth programming (the center has both school-year classes by mail and summer camp programs) with keeping me from dropping out of a school that was too boring despite "extensive" programming for gifted children. My family was quite poor and was able to have the SAT fee waived so that I could take the test to qualify, and I received a full scholarship for three summers at the camp. I've never been more grateful for any opportunity, and I hope that more disadvantaged parents of gifted children know that this is an option for them.
Tanya Balsky
The District
Thanks for this excellent tip. I have not had a chance yet to look closely at the Hopkins summer program, which serves students in second through 12th grade. But I have run into many people who share your admiration for it based on firsthand experience.
Please send your questions, along with your name, e-mail or postal address and telephone number, to Extra Credit, The Washington Post, 526 King St., Suite 515, Alexandria, Va. 22314. Or e-mailextracredit@washpost.com.
