GOLD Students are Gifted with a Learning Difference.  They are smart and even gifted students who struggle, because they learn differently; they learn best when they see and experience information. The estimates are that:

60% of the students today learn differently, which means that 60% of 60 million students or 36 million students learn differently

15% of the students today have IQs of 115 or higher, which means that 5.4 million students are bright and learn differently. Some professionals call these students visual-spatial learners or twice-exceptional students.

We label these students as GOLD Students ™, because they have many gifts and learn differently.

In past articles in this series we discussed GOLD Students or Twice Exceptional Students and that:

• Success is the only option.  The education system may label these students with ADHD or a Learning Disability.  We see the GOLD Student as Gifted and Learning Difficulty and having incredible upside potential.  Our conclusion is that as parents and professionals we need to focus on Success is the Only Option

• GOLD Students should be Assessed for Success.  Assessing for Success means identifying how your child learns best, what is stopping them from succeeding, and what we must focus on to help them to be Outrageously Successful

In this article, we will discuss why GOLD Students need us as parents and professionals to set BOLD Goals.  For example:

• A student with a 121 IQ in 3^rd grade who is reading 2 years below grade level would benefit greatly if we set the goal to get them back to level within a year.  We have seen this trigger far greater gains as parents seek professionals who share the goal, have the required program and skills and have the system to make it happen.  

• A student with a processing speed issue may take 2.5 hours to do an hours worth of homework.  Almost no one sets goals for homework time.  If you set the goal to reduce the homework time from 2.5 to 1.25 your child has a far better chance of achieving that goal. 

Below are a couple of examples:

• Jennifer was 2 years behind in her reading in 3rd grade, despite having 121 IQ, excellent parental support, a terrific teacher and going to one of the best schools.  When one looked at her challenges, Jennifer learned differently, had an attention and a visual perception issue.  Once the parents set the goal to get her back on grade level, they needed to find a program to achieve that goal.

      With the right goal, the right program and the necessary support, she was           able to get back to grade level within a year, and she is now a star                   student in high school.

• Matthew was taking 2.5 hours to get homework done and it took his mother 2 hours of her time to get it done.  With the right goal and the right program, Matthew was able to decrease homework time from 2.5 hours to 1.25 hours; thereby saving himself 187 hours in a year,  His mother decreased the time she was needed from 2 to .25 hours; thereby, freeing up 262 hours over a year.

If you would like more information on setting BOLD Goals for GOLD Students view our video on these subjects go to:

• BOLD Goals for GOLD Students
• BOLD Goals for GOLD Students Reading Comprehension
• BOLD Goals for GOLD Students Homework Time Reduction

Mira Halpert M.Ed., Mark Halpert and their 3D Learner Team are dedicated to helping GOLD Students to go from Stress to Outrageous Success.  For more information go to www.3dlearner/com/GOLD-Students and call them at 561-361-7495