As the first student to attend the Governor's Honors Program from Columbia County, I can empathize with John Klement's concern about rural students in the selection process ("Is gifted program tainted by bias?" Nov. 1).
Evans was a bit rustic at that time, and my experiences were somewhat limited. I was amazed by the three floors of books the Wesleyan College library provided for my exploration. I was surrounded by peers who understood me. I wish more students from non-metropolitan areas could have that exposure.
Later, as a science educator, I was involved in the state interview process. My teammates and I tried to take background into account as we chose candidates. Students who had other opportunities available to them might have taken a back seat to those whose only chance for something beyond the ordinary was GHP. Perhaps the current system was a way to overcome our subjective bias.
Mr. Klement also highlighted the large percentage of GHP attendees that certain schools had. As odd as it may seem, a cluster of exceptional candidates can occur in one place. One year I had four students selected. They had participated in engineering contests, science projects and science bowls, and they were part of the first high-school team to represent Georgia in the National Science Olympiad. Their teachers offered them opportunities and they used them to the best advantage. Sometimes it is not so much where you are, but who you work with and what you do with the possibilities that makes a difference.
As the oldest residential gifted program in the United States, Governors Honors has a great legacy and the potential to continue invaluable education for talented students. I wish more students could be served by this institution. The number varies from year to year based on funding from the state legislature. We need to invest in our future and citizens who agree should let there representatives know this.
Perhaps the selection program should to be reviewed and openness about the process should be encouraged. The Governors Honors Program deserves our support, however, and needs to grow.
Patricia F. Croft
Augusta
(The writer is a gifted facilitator for the Richmond County Board of Education.)
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OK, this article attempts to justify the awarding of a particular achievement program, which a previous letter questioned whether it may be tainted by a bias. After reading both, the answer is a simple, yes. Klement's letter believes that rural students are being short changed, while Croft justifies her belief that a "cluster of exceptional students" is often possible, but didn't attempt to address how that cluster keeps happening at the same few schools. Of course rural students don't have all the impressive activities are bigger city students, but everyone can't get into the program so some measurement of ability is required. Again, yes there appears to be some bias (built-in) the selection process, but life is never totally equal and it's better that some young adults find that out sooner rather than later.
someone must've ghostwritten justus' post. Its somewhat lucid, stays on point, and makes no mention of "u know what"
Good post, Justus. I taught my kids to do the best they can. If they win, great. If they don't, they at least can look themselves in the mirror and know they did their best. Things will be unfair. We can try to fix them and should always try. We can do our best to be fair, but in the end, life isn't fair. That's the first lesson in growing up.
He always posts something lucid on Wednesdays, because Tuesdays are visiting days. This was written by Big Daddy.