Will, Emma (SEN)
From:	Joanne Martin [joannemartin@fbrice.com.au]
Sent:	Monday, 5 March 2001 10:15 AM
To:	'eet.sen@aph.gov.au'
Subject:	FW: FW Senate Committee Inquiry Submission

Dear Sirs,

I welcome this opportunity to provide feedback to the committee to the
inquiry into gifted and talented programs within public schools.

My daughter spent two preschool years in a community based child care centre
part time, where the program was "needs based",directed to meeting the
individual needs of each child.  It was a shock when my daughter started
attending the local government school to find that the program was a lot
more rigid and geared to the level of the average child in the class, those
children with special needs to attain average abilities being assisted with
special programs such as reading programs and gifted and talented children
not having any programs to meet their special needs.  As a family we have
sought to meet the needs of my child, who I belief is gifted and talented,
outside school program.

I was pleased when the school advised at the beginning of 2000 that it would
investigate introducing a gifted and talented program.  A committee was
formed comprised of staff, and I attended a meeting between parents and the
committee, and later offered assistance by letter.  I am unaware if there
have been any further development with respect to introducing any sort of
program for gifted and talented children;  there have been no communications
with parents and I have not observed any programs in the classes that my
daughter attends.

My daughter is in third class, and while I am happy with the school she
attends for many reasons, the lack of programming or adjusting the classroom
program to her level, any streaming of students according to ability, or
provision for acceleration, is a serious concern.  I am investigating other
school options for my daughter in the private school system to provide this
type of school program.

I have completed the questionaire below which I hope will assist in your
inquiry.

Regards Joanne Martin
56 Sackville Street
Maroubra,
NSW 2035
PH WK 9810 7133