NYC Dept of Ed Gifted and Talented Program – Parent Info. Session in Queens
Tonight, there was a NYC gifted and talented program information session in Queens at Long Island City High School. Parents streamed into the auditorium to hear representatives from the New York City Department of Education give an overview of the gifted and talented program, OLSAT test procedures, transportation to gifted and talented schools in NYC, along with a few other questions about the process.
The crowd was estimated at 250 stressed-out parents hoping their child would receive a coveted seat in the NYC Gifted and Talented program for the next school year. The parents I spoke to were very nice and excited about hearing about TestingMom.com, but I could tell they were on edge as they headed into the auditorium. The G&T stress levels were already on high alert, even though testing was still more than two months away.
The DOE provided gifted and talented handbooks, but there were hundreds left unused by the time the session was almost over. I also had the opportunity to meet some parents who were already Top 1% and Top 5% members on TestingMom.com!
What struck me most that evening was how many families were seeking clarity. Parents had questions about testing timelines, admissions requirements, transportation options, score interpretation, and how to best prepare their children. Many were attending their first gifted education information session and were trying to make sense of what can feel like an overwhelming process.
My advice remains the same today as it was then: start early, stay informed, and don’t let the process consume your family. Children learn best through consistent practice, reading, conversation, and play, not through stress and pressure. The more informed parents become about the admissions process, the more confident they tend to feel.
Good luck to all the families beginning their gifted education journey! ~ Michael
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