While schools are spending much time and millions in tax dollars to help low-performing students meet the No Child Left Behind law’s mandates, many gifted and talented students are the ones being left behind.
Because there is little funding for special programs to support and encourage our brightest students, “these students lose interest in their passions, become frustrated and unmotivated from the lack of challenge their school curricula provides them,” according to an article by two Duke University education professors. Many gifted students drop out before graduating from high school because of this lack of academic challenge. “As a result, they become our lost talent,” the professors wrote.
Another misconception is that gifted and talented students are the children of privilege. “Giftedness” cannot be bought or learned; it is not determined by gender, religion, economics or skin color. It is just that — a gift. And what a waste of these gifts if we don’t put effort into helping gifted and talented students meet their potential.
Posted by Patrice Hein
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