Thursday, December 20, 2007

The Gifted Dropout - Ouch!


We all need to read this article from the state of Delaware and think again about whether we are serving all students. This line struck me the most.
Statistically, 20 percent of U.S. school dropouts test in the gifted range, said Jill Adrian, director of family services at the Davidson Institute for Talent Development...

Now, I don't want to say "I told you so", because that would be just a little petty and I'm above that. Take a look at this nugget and consider how you do or don't challenge gifted students to work hard for their learning.
Some make poor grades, either because they no longer care or because they have spent so many of their younger years unchallenged that when they suddenly face a rigorous course in middle or high school, they don't know how to study.

We need to wake up and remember that all students need the same level of challenge and expectation for performance. So, all I want for Christmas is more and more differentiation across the land.