Save money, let gifted students skip grades

Currently in Fayette County, students in elementary school who typically do really well on tests and are recommended by a teacher are asked to join the gifted program.

This program challenges students to ability level, but the dollar amount spent per child is higher for gifted students than non-gifted students, due to smaller classes in the gifted program, and teachers are required to obtain extra certifications.

I suggest allowing students to skip grades instead of only offering gifted programs. This suggestion would save the state millions in spending without decreasing the quality of education these students receive.

Also, gifted students would be able to graduate faster, which would give them more years to be productive citizens.

If anything, allowing students the option of skipping grades would be an improvement over the current system where Albert Einstein would most likely be required to attend a K-12 program, even if he could score 5’s on AP exams in fifth grade, since there is not much flexibility in the current system.

Matthew Boyle

Fayetteville, Ga.