MCEA Reps Endorse “No Labels, No Limits” Campaign

Call on Board of Education to Eliminate the Gifted/Talented label in elementary school

MCEA Building Reps voted overwhelmingly last Wednesday in favor of endorsing the “No Labels, No Limits” Campaign to end the screening of all second grade students as either “gifted and talented” or not “gifted and talented”.

One teacher rep shared her personal story as a mother of twins. A number of years ago, both were in MCPS in second grade, and both were tested in MCPS’ “global screening”. One child was labeled gifted and talented. The other was labeled not gifted and talented. And ever since, she has seen the different expectations, different instruction, and different opportunities. The child who was labeled not gifted and talented “missed” by just one point.

Another educator who spoke was a middle school teacher who also serves as the gifted and talented program coordinator in her school. She too supported the No Labels/No Limits Campaign, explaining that from her experience the grade two labeling was not a useful or effective means of getting children the appropriate level of services.

The No Labels/No Limits Campaign is supported by a coalition of parent, educator, student and community-based organizations. It is based on shared beliefs

 that every child deserves and is entitled to a high quality public education and high expectations irrespective of race, class, ethnicity, language, or physical ability.

 that the global screening of all second grade students and invariably sorts or "tracks" students, limiting the academic opportunities of many children and contributing to a culture of low expectations

 that the time has come to move away from labels toward a paradigm that provides every child the appropriate challenge and support. Only through equitable educational opportunities will all children be prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.  

Over the past couple of years, two MCPS elementary schools have piloted the elimination of the GT label. In its place, the focus is on identifying the educational needs of every child and providing challenging curriculum and instruction for all students. Teachers and parents at both Georgian Forest ES and Burning Tree ES have expressed their continuing support for the elimination of the labeling.

The motion approved by the MCEA Representative Assembly encourages reps to report back to their schools and promote ongoing discussions about the No Labels/No Limits Campaign. MCEA President Doug Prouty will formally notify the school administration, Board of Education and the public.

MCEA members interested in supporting this effort should contact MCEA’s Human and Civil Rights Committee. Committee Chair, George Vlasits (Blair HS), is helping to coordinate teacher involvement in the No Labels/No Limits campaign.

For more information on the No Labels/ No Limits campaign, go to the website of the Montgomery County Education Forum at http://www.mcef.org/ .