DSA 2012
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pitterpatter:
I am a newbie but have been following this thread for quite some time. I have really enjoyed reading postings from some parents who share their frustration, joy, achievements, advice without reservation.
Kiasucy:
[quote=\"friendship\"]So being in GEP there is still an advantage over the mainstream right?
It is never an apple to apple comparison. Not forget the GE subjects are rigorous and more advance level. English is pitched at Sec level, which is unfair to them if you want to compare with mainstreamers. To achieve Eng 70+ is consider not bad and GEP students have to work very hard to achieve above 80% then again there are students at 80% in the past merely got WL for the DSA to RI, or rejected by HCI. They take the same DSA entry test to NUSH, NJC, and many others. No special advantage! There exists GE students who do not have any DSA offer at all in the past. To achieve 80% and above in GE subjects are tough. If GEP students have could achieve above 80%, they are more likely to do well in PSLE.
Mainstreamers are given sufficient foundation building and well prepared for PSLE and if they work hard also, likewise they can also get into the top school.
With the recent few postings, I felt that some of us have forgotten the very essence of GEP. It is a curriculum that is designed to stretch the minds on a wide range of topics. GEP is NOT about accelerated learning for the PSLE and not meant to compare the gifted from the mainstreamers. Is it vigorous - yes because it is meant to challenge .. more advanced ? - perhaps depending on the context. Being gifted is a blessing and not a ticket to success. Above all, gifted kids needs to be nurtured, and as John Hays Hammond says it “Character is the real foundation for all worthwhile success”.
GEP kids are given advantages such as access to a special DSA category (while it doesn't guarantee you a DSA spot, it certainly increases your chances compared to mainstream kids applying through the Academic route). Whether this is desirable or not, I will keep my opinions to myself.
Let's not forget the main objective of the GEP and that is to provide a type of education that allows the intellectually gifted to thrive. it is not about the marks or the grade (>80% or <80%) but all about differentiated learning.
In all fairness, the mainstreamers don't have it easy either - the current mainstream primary school syllabus is stifling and far from ideal. All the students should have an opportunity to experience an education system that is less rigid and one that encourage creativity.
As a parent whose child has experienced the GEP, I see its value. However, in preparation for PSLE, I understand that it is mundane and offer no challenge going through past year exam papers but I tell my son to look on the bright side of things - take PSLE as part of life that everyone student has to go through in Singapore and challenge himself to work towards achieving good results. Look forward to the few months after PSLE where he can explore his learning and quench his thirst to his hearts content. Peace to all[/quote] :goodpost:
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pitterpatter:
:goodpost:
I am a newbie but have been following this thread for quite some time. I have really enjoyed reading postings from some parents who share their frustration, joy, achievements, advice without reservation.
With the recent few postings, I felt that some of us have forgotten the very essence of GEP. It is a curriculum that is designed to stretch the minds on a wide range of topics. GEP is NOT about accelerated learning for the PSLE and not meant to compare the gifted from the mainstreamers. Is it vigorous - yes because it is meant to challenge .. more advanced ? - perhaps depending on the context. Being gifted is a blessing and not a ticket to success. Above all, gifted kids needs to be nurtured, and as John Hays Hammond says it “Character is the real foundation for all worthwhile success”.
GEP kids are given advantages such as access to a special DSA category (while it doesn't guarantee you a DSA spot, it certainly increases your chances compared to mainstream kids applying through the Academic route). Whether this is desirable or not, I will keep my opinions to myself.
Let's not forget the main objective of the GEP and that is to provide a type of education that allows the intellectually gifted to thrive. it is not about the marks or the grade (>80% or <80%) but all about differentiated learning.
In all fairness, the mainstreamers don't have it easy either - the current mainstream primary school syllabus is stifling and far from ideal. All the students should have an opportunity to experience an education system that is less rigid and one that encourage creativity.
As a parent whose child has experienced the GEP, I see its value. However, in preparation for PSLE, I understand that it is mundane and offer no challenge going through past year exam papers but I tell my son to look on the bright side of things - take PSLE as part of life that everyone student has to go through in Singapore and challenge himself to work towards achieving good results. Look forward to the few months after PSLE where he can explore his learning and quench his thirst to his hearts content. Peace to all
and may I add : PSLE and and its preparation is not all that bad. Which job/profession/vocation does not require some form of drilling & practice to near perfection before deemed \"passed\" and being allowed to go solo on the work / task ? pilots, dentist, surgeons, astronauts, taikonauts, air traffic controllers, lasik specialists, heart surgeons doing stenting, etc etc all require extensive training and drilling on models & prototypes...it is similar to \"drilling\" for PSLE if not worse. It is more than just head knowledge -
pitterpatter:
I am a newbie but have been following this thread for quite some time. I have really enjoyed reading postings from some parents who share their frustration, joy, achievements, advice without reservation. Kiasucy:
[quote=\"friendship\"]So being in GEP there is still an advantage over the mainstream right?
It is never an apple to apple comparison. Not forget the GE subjects are rigorous and more advance level. English is pitched at Sec level, which is unfair to them if you want to compare with mainstreamers. To achieve Eng 70+ is consider not bad and GEP students have to work very hard to achieve above 80% then again there are students at 80% in the past merely got WL for the DSA to RI, or rejected by HCI. They take the same DSA entry test to NUSH, NJC, and many others. No special advantage! There exists GE students who do not have any DSA offer at all in the past. To achieve 80% and above in GE subjects are tough. If GEP students have could achieve above 80%, they are more likely to do well in PSLE.
Mainstreamers are given sufficient foundation building and well prepared for PSLE and if they work hard also, likewise they can also get into the top school.
With the recent few postings, I felt that some of us have forgotten the very essence of GEP. It is a curriculum that is designed to stretch the minds on a wide range of topics. GEP is NOT about accelerated learning for the PSLE and not meant to compare the gifted from the mainstreamers. Is it vigorous - yes because it is meant to challenge .. more advanced ? - perhaps depending on the context. Being gifted is a blessing and not a ticket to success. Above all, gifted kids needs to be nurtured, and as John Hays Hammond says it “Character is the real foundation for all worthwhile success”.
GEP kids are given advantages such as access to a special DSA category (while it doesn't guarantee you a DSA spot, it certainly increases your chances compared to mainstream kids applying through the Academic route). Whether this is desirable or not, I will keep my opinions to myself.
Let's not forget the main objective of the GEP and that is to provide a type of education that allows the intellectually gifted to thrive. it is not about the marks or the grade (>80% or <80%) but all about differentiated learning.
In all fairness, the mainstreamers don't have it easy either - the current mainstream primary school syllabus is stifling and far from ideal. All the students should have an opportunity to experience an education system that is less rigid and one that encourage creativity.
As a parent whose child has experienced the GEP, I see its value. However, in preparation for PSLE, I understand that it is mundane and offer no challenge going through past year exam papers but I tell my son to look on the bright side of things - take PSLE as part of life that everyone student has to go through in Singapore and challenge himself to work towards achieving good results. Look forward to the few months after PSLE where he can explore his learning and quench his thirst to his hearts content. Peace to all[/quote]Well said. As a parent of a GEP boy, another challenge that I have learnt to manage is “failure”. It was a triple blow to my DS when he was rejected by the 3 schools that he had applied for DSA, while most of his classmate has gotten at least 1 to 3 DSA CO. I guess it was the parent has to be blame as we had set the expectation too high. My DS scored 76% for his SA1, silver for SMOPS and school team of a popular sport that has won several zone and national awards. The whole family nearly gone into depression. Luckily, DS able to pull himself up and done well enough in PSLE to go to his current IP school and is doing well now.
In summary, to me it is not easy to be a GEP student, it is more challenging to be GEP parents -
After reading all the post on DS/DD getting stress, I checked with my DS whether the school is giving them tons of exam papers for practise. His reply was \"ok\". To be frank, I've seen him doing test paper at home, but not everyday. DS said, maybe his school is not drilling them hard.
Recently, the school had even brought them out for excursion.
I think this is good for the kids.
When I told him how the DS/DD feel in KS forum, he said : \"Tell them to treat all exam papers as normal homework. When they were doing GE prog, it's in fact more taxing & more time consuming. Listen to music as it'll help to relieve their stress. When they've finished their test paper, play hard. And mummies & daddies, please do not give them more assignment books or test papers cos you're just drowning them. :imdrowning: -
leeven:
when was your DS. thats great to hear no tough questions . some questions was really like what is the capital of Africa. :siao:[/quote]Last Thursday.8228:
[quote=\"leeven\"]GEP RI DSA all complete ? I dont see any KP's msg's on it. I followed it till last 18th then no more I see please share your experience
Should have completed. My ds said it was just chit-chat, no tough questions. Now, just have to wait for the results patiently. -
GoodDad:
:please: hope the high scorer are gal gal only :please: boys are boys, just so playful[/quote][/quote][/quote][/quote][/quote]
Based on RI 2011 DSA result. GEP boys with SA1 less then 77.5% mostly rejected unless the boys with VERY special talent. 77.5% - 79.9% - WL. Most with 80% and above were given CO. However, some GEP boys with 80.x% were given WL.Zann:
[quote=\"GoodDad\"][quote=\"leeven]
GEP and <80% is disadvantage cause hear it is mostly WL . if > 80% still RI is looking for some unique talent. Each domain has its own + / -
However, in the year of Dargon, understand that generally GEP SA1 result for 2012 were fairly good. Some even scored above 90%. Guess this year the cut off point for RI will be higher.
Agreed. But there are more boys then girls in GEP. To my understanding, all the GEP classes regardless of which year, The ratio are 2/3 boys and 1/3 girls. Average about 500 GEP students per year. 330 boys and 170 girls.
So most of the GEP girls will go to RGS, NYGH and a small number goes to NUSH and others(E.g NJC & DHS). As for boys, almost all will fight for a place RI and HCI(as 2nd choice). A small number will go to ACSI(ACS die hard fan) and NUSH.
In summary, to me the competition among the GEP boys are more tough.[/quote][/quote][/quote][/quote]
How come only RGS, NYGH and NUSH ? No other schools to DSA meh ? -
:please: hope the high scorer are gal gal only :please: boys are boys, just so playful[/quote][/quote][/quote][/quote][/quote]
Agreed. But there are more boys then girls in GEP. To my understanding, all the GEP classes regardless of which year, The ratio are 2/3 boys and 1/3 girls. Average about 500 GEP students per year. 330 boys and 170 girls.
So most of the GEP girls will go to RGS, NYGH and a small number goes to NUSH and others(E.g NJC & DHS). As for boys, almost all will fight for a place RI and HCI(as 2nd choice). A small number will go to ACSI(ACS die hard fan) and NUSH.
In summary, to me the competition among the GEP boys are more tough.[/quote][/quote][/quote][/quote]
How come only RGS, NYGH and NUSH ? No other schools to DSA meh ?[/quote][/quote][/quote][/quote]
True, not much of choice for GE girls in IP school until now. My DD is now in NUSH Y2. During her time, only 5 of them from RGPS GEP (including top RGPS girl in 2010 PSLE) in NUSH. Almost 70% cohort in RGS, 15% in NYGH and the rest in SOTA. -
How come only RGS, NYGH and NUSH ? No other schools to DSA meh ?[/quote][/quote][/quote][/quote]
True, not much of choice for GE girls in IP school until now. My DD is now in NUSH Y2. During her time, only 5 of them from RGPS GEP (including top RGPS girl in 2010 PSLE) in NUSH. Almost 70% cohort in RGS, 15% in NYGH and the rest in SOTA.[/quote]
Actually, if you got into NUSH, does it mean that you will definitely get into NUS later ? -
I have been following this thread on dsa in preparation for next year :roll: Boy, was I stressed out after reading all the posts. :yikes:
Sure is worried whether my ds will be able to make it to dsa :frustrated: -
Hi,
Just to check will the results of DSA posting out before or after PSLE?
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