Name:   Education Program for Gifted Youth (EPGY)
Topics
 
 
Acceleration, Enrichment Programs, Distance Learning
URL
 
 
http://www-epgy.stanford.edu/
Organizations
 
 
Stanford University
Description
 
 
This distance learning program, offered through Stanford University, is dedicated to the advancement of education among gifted students. The Education Program for Gifted Youth (EPGY) provides computer-based multimedia courses in Mathematics, Physics, English, Computer Programming and other subjects for high-ability students. Combining technical and instructional expertise, EPGY equips gifted and talented students of all ages with an individualized educational experience, optimized in both pace and content. EPGY also sponsors EPGY-OHS, a new online high school, as well as many summer programs. EPGY Online High School (EPGY-OHS) EPGY Summer Programs
Average Rating
 
 
Last Updated
 
 
1/23/2007
 
Comments

Contributed by: Other  
Rating:
EPGY offers distance learning courses for gifted students in grades K-12, plus some courses at the college level. Students advance at their own pace. These courses were specifically designed for highly, exceptionally, and profoundly gifted students; distance tutorial assistance is available from an assigned tutor. Profoundly gifted students have used these courses successfully in a number of ways: as stand-alone courses in a homeschooling setting, as a replacement for a regular course in their public or private schools (often, the student is excused from the regular class for his/her grade level during the time it meets, and uses a computer terminal to work on the EPGY course, instead), and occasionally, as enrichment. EPGY is based on an acceleration model, so be prepared -- many profoundly gifted students move very quickly through the material and may complete the equivalent of two or more grade levels in a subject within a year. Stanford University, sponsor of the courses, offers a transcript upon completion, which may become part of the student's elementary or secondary school record with permission of the guidance department. Some families have complained about "buggy" software, too much drill, or too few graphics in the EPGY math programs. EPGY is also expensive, but generous financial aid is available to families who qualify. Ask.
 
Contributed by: Parent of Davidson Young Scholar  
Rating:
Our daughter has completed grades 5 through 8 as well as Algebra 1 using the EPGY program. One positive for the program was that she enjoyed the fact that she could move along at her own pace. The negatives we found were that we frequently ran into buggy software which caused a great deal of frustration and lost time. This was also complicated by the difficulty we had establishing communication with teachers who were three time zones behind us. All things considered, the EPGY courses were far preferable to the pace of the math courses that my daughter encountered in the public school system, so it was beneficial for us.
 
Contributed by: Davidson Young Scholar  
Rating:
I think that the system can be very annoying, and very fun at times. I am taking the beginning algebra course, and the lectures are boring, and the software is full of bugs. The derivation system is useless too!
 
Contributed by: Other  
Rating:
I have nearly completed the EPGY Intro Physics Course and although the course can get tricky at some parts (like rotational dynamics), I think it is an excellent course. The tutors are knowledgeable and though the system is somewhat buggy, it is a profitable one. I especially like the fact that you can learn at your own pace in this program, and there are no restraints except for the extra fee you need to pay each semester. The curriculum is widespread and well taught, covering subjects from basic mechanics to fluid flow, waves, and sound. Part A of the course covers thermodynamics and electronics. Part B and C range from optics to intro quantum mechanics to nuclear physics. It also has taught me learning and problem solving skills, and has greatly increased my knowledge of physics. I definitely recommend, not only the intro physics course, but all EPGY courses to profoundly gifted children
 
Contributed by: Parent of Davidson Young Scholar  
Rating:
Our son did the Math courses for the 3rd and most of the 4th grade. He quit before the end of the 4th grade level because he was getting too frustrated. The main problems were the tedious user interface (10 years behind what "edutainment" programs like Cluefinders use), the monotonous lecture segments, and the fact that the software was full of bugs in certain sections (like plotting graphs). All of these could be overcome if you have a parent who can help, explain, and motivate/console. However, if the child has to be by him/herself, be ready for major frustration.
 
Contributed by: Parent of Davidson Young Scholar  
Rating:
We have been using the EPGY resource for more than two years and we are very happy with it in general. My son has been able to make progress at his own speed. One problem with the software is that there are glitches as well as incorrect and/or inconsistent answers which are very frustrating sometimes to the kid.
 
Contributed by: Parent of Davidson Young Scholar  
Rating:
My gifted child did not enjoy this program because of the boring format. He did not find it challenging at all.
 
Contributed by: Parent of Davidson Young Scholar  
Rating:
Our five year old ys son recently started EPGY and found he was able to move through math material very quickly and easily with this program. He finished his first grade level in one week. The only complaint has been that the exercises do become tedious after working for intense periods of time. We were advised to take breaks sporadically during the program when burn-out occurs. The part I like as a parent is that the program really ensures thorough mathematical understanding before they allow the student to move on.
 
Contributed by: Parent of Davidson Young Scholar  
Rating:
My child took advanced honors algebra through EPGY. The new version of the software was riddled with bugs which made it confusing at times. The support, although frustrating, was overall good. It would be tough to stay motivated and continue on with the program if your child was not an independent student.
 
Contributed by: Parent of a Davidson Young Scholar  
Rating:
Our son has always been exceptionally good at math. We've had him in EPGY twice. The summer after first grade he went through 3rd and 4th grade EPGY in three months, then quit. The summer after second grade, he started again with algebra, then quit. Both times, he quit because it was so tedious. In the lower level, there were no pretests. The little learning he got required him to go through too much repetition. In the upper level, there were pretests, but if you didn't pass the entire chapter, you had to do the entire chapter - no area pretests. At first, he liked it because he was actually learning new material, but then he got to the repetition and tedium and couldn't stand it any more. It seemed he was spending half his time on lessons on the contrived "derivation system" as opposed to actually learning algebra.
 
Contributed by: Davidson Young Scholar  
Rating:
I enjoy EPGY because I like learning on the computer. Our tutor is available, but I have not used her for any questions yet. I am working on a sixth grade program.
 
Contributed by: Parent of Davidson Young Scholar  
Rating:
Our YS used EPGY for 5th & 6th grade Mathematics and Expository writing. The Mathematics software was bug-filled and clumsy, but she did enjoy advancing at high-speed. Along with fixing the bugs, there are a few items that could bear improvement in the program: the fifth grade test simply started without warning and gave no indication of how many problems there were. This was difficult for a child who needs to know what to expect and experiences test anxiety. The sixth grade test was paper and pencil, which allowed for mental preparation (ie, how many problems, type of problems, etc.). However, once the student is finished with the course, they cannot go back to review, causing frustration. There is a CD-ROM of a scanned-in textbook which allows some review, but not in the method the student was used to. The tutor also seemed very blase about the bugs. I do know of gifted public school students whose parents enroll them in EPGY for mathematics (instead of what the class is doing) who seem very satisfied with the program.

The virtual classroom included in the writing course was fun, but had its difficulties with a lot of glitches and wasted time, with late starts and technical problems. This proved very frustrating to the students who had to leave if class went over. It was a fairly typical expository writing class, but at an easier level than we were led to believe. The other students in the class were all older but not serious enough, in the estimation of the YS who took the class. While she worked hard, learned, and accomplished much, the teacher felt that she had nothing to teach the YS, and kept asking, "Where did you learn to write like this?" The student replied that she didn't know. On the other hand, it got her to write. Stanford staff was willing to place her in a more advanced class, but felt that the reading might be inappropriate for her age. This might be best for gifted but not PG student.
 
Contributed by: Parent of Davidson Young Scholar  
Rating:
It seems that students either love EPGY or hate it. Our child hated it. He took one course--precalculus. He described it as "tedious" and thought the derivation system was primitive. The software was buggy, the program did not adjust to his pace (no pretests, no way to skip what he already knew) and there were a lot of administrative glitches. I was particularly annoyed that Stanford switched tutors on him three times during the one course.
 
Contributed by: Davidson Young Scholar  
Rating:
First and second grade were easy. I didn't like third and fourth grade very much.
 
Contributed by: Parent of Davidson Young Scholar  
Rating:
My child (age 9) has benefited greatly from this program. She enjoys the self-paced curriculum and has reversed her disinterest in mathematics. We have a MacIntosh and using the software through Virtual PC has not been problematic. The tutor(s) (3 tutors so far in Grades 5 & 6 Math) have been very good, responsive, enthusiastic, and encouraging. This is an excellent resource for PG students.
 
Contributed by: Davidson Young Scholar  
Rating:
I have benefitted greatly from this program. The tutors are very responsive and I think that other students would enjoy this. The lectures are very thorough and the program will give attention to areas that are problematic.
 
Contributed by: Davidson Young Scholar  
Rating:
I liked the EPGY math program a lot. It was fun to work on the computer, and I liked watching my progress. Some bugs in the program were frustrating, but it generally was a good experience.
 
Contributed by: Davidson Young Scholar  
Rating:
I used to do EPGY. I thought it was good when I was young, but now I like learning from a book much better. I don't have to do things in the order the program says. I can look ahead in the book and skip stuff if I know it or spend more time on stuff I need to learn.
 
Contributed by: Davidson Young Scholar  
Rating:
The narrator talks very slowly which bothers me. They give you lots of practice on one subject. It's challenging so it's better than at my school, but I like Aleks better.
 
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