STRETCHING THEIR MINDS

Dr. Fine, educator and writer, now headmaster of the Sands Point Country Day School, traces that institution's pioneering in a total program for the gifted child. With a rousing salute to Sands Points' founder and headmistress, Mrs. Marie L. Fetsch, Dr. Fine plunges into the very sound reasons for immediate public awareness of the special needs of the gifted child, stressing the stultifying and even damaging effects of the average school program. He pleads for a reevaluation of the methods used to define the gifted child, mentioning the many inadequacies of standard testing, and the I.Q. tests that require a ""parroting"" of material and conformity to pre-established criteria. The author points out that special education for the gifted is democratic -- that it is foolish to waste our greatest asset, the gifted; that all races and creeds are represented; that special grouping does not increase tensions. In the Sands Point School there is no worry about motivation to learn; there is a vigorous flexibility; a great mass of material and opportunity for mind stretching; and the teachers are considerate, highly qualified specialists in their fields. Dr. Fine concludes with advice to parents of the gifted, a summary of current programs elsewhere, and suggestions for the future. A must for all educators, parents of the gifted child, anyone involved in the current upheaval of the school systems.