Will, Emma (SEN)
From:	Bettclan [bettclan@q-net.net.au]
Sent:	Sunday, 4 March 2001 2:13 PM
To:	eet.sen@aph.gov.au
Subject:	Senate Inquiry.Gifted education
Senate Inquiry into Gifted Education
Submission by Mrs. D. Bett. 2 Hatfield Way, Booragoon WA 6154.

We have three children: The eldest in year 10 at Rossmoyne Senior High
School, the second in year 9 at the same school and the youngest in Pre
primary at Booragoon Primary school [all government schools].
All of our children are gifted, the 2 older ones have this confirmed on
paper by an educational psychologist.
We have battled the system for many years to obtain the correct
education for our children and we are still struggling.
The lack of up to date knowledge about gifted children amongst teachers
is frightening. There are many out there who believe the most amazing
myths about the gifted.
We are made to feel like pushy parents when all we are trying to do is
obtain a stimulating classroom environment for our children.
Our eldest are in a Special Secondary Placement Program [SSPP] studying
extra languages and on the whole this is an excellent system which
brings able children together in an excellent environment. Although we
have had to push recently to allow a small group of extremely able
children to forge ahead at their own pace in Japanese.
Our middle child skipped year 7 after passing the exams to enter the
SSPP and is still around the top of her class in most subjects. This
process was very lengthy and difficult and caused her a great deal of
stress. She is so much happier mixing with girls who are the same age as
her mentally. This is an enormous issue for gifted children and one that
causes much confusion.
Our youngest seems to be the only child in his class who is able to read
and write at all, let alone well and we are in the process of getting
enrichment opportunities for him. I am confident that this will happen
eventually but I am still dealing with people in the system who are very
ignorant about gifted children.
I would like all teachers to be given a summary of the facts about
gifted children so that these myths can be put away for ever. This
should include references so that those who are interested can easily
further their knowledge. I am not aware of any teachers at either of the
schools that our children attend who are trained in gifted education. If
they exist, it is certainly kept quiet.
I would like the government to ensure that all school psychologists are
also trained to deal with gifted students and are supportive of them.
After 12 years of reading about gifted children, being involved in their
education and listening to the problems that other parents of the gifted
face, I am very aware of how important this issue is. Many children are
suffering severe psychological damage because of the lack of facilities
and the ignorance that is out there. The drop out rate amongst gifted
youth is high and the loss to Australian Society is enormous.
Deborah Bett  4/03/01