Gifted and Talented??

Yesterday I was reading more about becoming a licensed montessori teacher. It is a pretty intensive process that some day I hope to go through. As I was looking around I ran into the Davidson Institute for Talent Development. This program is for profoundly gifted students - but they have advocacy for all gifted students. Since we have moved into a new school district I decided to look up the types of programs they have for gifted students. Lets just say the word "underwhelmed" doesn't quite describe it.

Apparently SAISD in its wisdom is interested in implementing the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program for their gifted and talented program. As their literature from 2003 for gifted and talented parents says their strategies and initiatives are to "Establish G/T campus site teams based on the AVID model" and in the elementary school "Initiate implementation of AVID strategies for G/T and talent pool students". Now in theory this sounds great. But when you read about the intention of the AVID program you realize that this does not make ANY senese. The AVID website explains the program this way: AVID targets students in the academic middle — B, C, and even D students — who have the desire to go to college and the willingness to work hard. Basically, it seems that the district has decided to use a college prep program to cover its bases on gifted and talented education. This really doesn't address the needs of the gifted student - the basic strategy of this program seems to put kids in the most difficult classes available (pre-AP and AP classes). I have to say that overall I am glad that SAISD is interested in this type of programming but it is NOT gifted and talented education. The AVID website clearly explains their goals and it is not to reach gifted and talented students! Additionally, it talks about adopting this as an elementary school strategy when the program is specifically designed for 4th through 12th grade students. Well, that doesn't cover most of the elementary grades.
So once again I am left to wonder about our education system. Yet more reason to continue my education so that I can educate my children. I am currently reading the book Genius Denied by the founders of the Davidson institute. I just got it from the trusty library yesterday and haven't gotten very far (I searched out the SAISD policies instead). We'll see what it has to say.