No Gifted Child Left Behind

  

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Recently, an article was published that details the findings of a study comparing the mathematics achievement of students in the United States to the achievement of students in other countries. Much of the information was not surprising; we are continuously learning of studies that show that U.S. students are falling behind other countries in math and science achievement. One facet of the article, however, got my attention. With so much focus on NCLB and ensuring that our struggling students “pass the test”, what are we doing to advance the achievement of students who are already deemed proficient or advanced based on their past achievement? How are we helping these students move forward along their educational path?

At my school, gifted students are provided with enrichment activities and offered some opportunities to advance their learning beyond the classroom setting. In previous years we had a Gifted and Talented program, but with recent budget cuts, that program had to be sacrificed. Now, it is up to the classroom teachers to provide enrichment activities for these students during free-time in class or after school. With the concerns teachers have about helping their struggling students, I can’t help but think that many gifted students are not provided with opportunities to excel. 

My assumption is that the recent down-play of enrichment opportunities in my school is not uncommon. Instead, I believe that there are talented students throughout the country who are not provided with opportunities to advance their talents. There is so much focus on ensuring that all students are working on grade level, but I think some students who are able to work above grade level are slipping through the cracks. I think that this is an area that needs more attention if we are meant to compete globally in math and science. We don’t just want U.S. students to be average; we need them to be exceptional!  How are teachers in your school helping students become exceptional?  I think we all could use some ideas about how to make this work!

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