| northstar mom, the problem with 'gifted' is the inherent positive specialness implied. (Afterall, you wouldn't say that someone is 'gifted' if they're hard of hearing.) It sets kids apart, making those not identified as gifted feel like they're 'not smart' and sometimes it gives unrealistic expectations to the kids/parents of kids who are. The ability to perform extremley well on certain tests (IQ, Ravens, etc) the ability to learn certain things almost instantenously (how to read/times tables/patterns/algebra etc.) is all great and dandy. But to succeed in school -- as in life -- you still need a certain amount of drive and discipline. And I can't tell you how many profoundly gifted kids I've met have neither.
Put it another way: I have a profoundly gifted kid and a regular kid. Guess which one does better in school? Which one had the better grades, more interesting/challenging ec's and a much better work ethic?
I say, gifted shmifted. I'd trade some 30 IQ points for homework turned in on time. |