The Right Fit for Henry

How can schools help students who are twice-exceptional?

Second grade was a defining year for Henry, the third boy in a family with two older gifted siblings. He attended an elementary school in a small Wisconsin town and appeared to be a typical 2nd grader. However, as the year progressed, his classroom teacher noticed that Henry used high-level vocabulary words in conversations with adults. He asked delightfully insightful questions. He understood subtle jokes his classmates missed. He had an intense interest in the world around him and wanted to know details about everything.

Henry's teacher suspected he was gifted, and at the final parent-teacher conference of the year, she suggested an assessment to see whether Henry qualified for the Challenge Program, the school district's self-contained, all-day magnet program for gifted students in grades 1–5. The program's curriculum is advanced by two years while remaining developmentally appropriate for the students' ages. Even though the Challenge Program provides a fast-paced curriculum, some highly advanced students receive additional subject-matter acceleration. Henry easily met the entrance criteria and began his 3rd grade year as a Challenge Program student.

Concerns Arise