Everyone is gifted and talented, so selecting a small group of students and telling them they are the only ones that “qualify” is not justifiable.

Starting in first grade, students are grouped by a “multi-dimensional” screening process that determines whether or not they qualify to be a part of a specialized program in school called Gifted and Talented (GT).

According to St. Louis Park’s district website, the students chosen show creative ability, high academic potential and leadership ability. The program is kept under wraps, and is not available to everyone. It is a select group known through word-of-mouth. It begins before high school and awards students special counseling throughout high school, particularly college counseling.

This special treatment is unjust. Every freshman and every transfer student should be aware of this program and have the opportunity to take advantage of the specialized counseling available.

GT further separates classes, not only by making some students feel superior, but making other students feel inferior for not being selected at an early age.

Do you think GT is a beneficial program for all students?

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• No

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According to GT adviser Andrew Wilkes, students who feel they need help with post-secondary planning at a higher level are able to join GT. It is through self-referral and parent advocacy that students receive these services. There are many instances where students have asked to join the program and have been let in with no basis of knowing whether they really are “gifted and talented.” If that is how students are “selected,” the program does not deserve the name of GT. In high school, students are able to join by asking the adviser if they can be a part of it, the only criteria being if they have been in AP, honors or IB classes.

Students miss class once a month to talk with a special counselor about their course-load and college admissions process, which sounds wonderful but is unfair to other students who don’t have access to the same resources. The program aims to meet the needs of students who are applying to highly selective colleges who usually are predominantly AP or IB students. This gap continues to grow between the self-identified “elite” and the rest of the school population.

For those who aren’t in this program, they see it as an excuse to miss class and are unaware of what goes on during GT meetings, according to senior Dorothy Slater. Slater said she believes students can benefit from this service but also said she believes many students ask the question “what class should I miss today?,” showing that the program isn’t reaching its full potential.

Most students would want extra help in the tough process of applying to schools and keeping up with coursework. Extensive counseling can be great for anyone, but should be especially focused on those who may need extra help applying, who have never had a parent or sibling attend college or have never thought about college as an option.

There should be more incentive to open this program up to all students, making sure every student receives the help they need in order to fulfill their individual goals and make strides toward post high school plans.

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