<p>This is such an interesting topic, because it certainly has come up a lot in our township high school, and I imagine in other high schools across the country. The dilemma comes up when gifted children benefit from “ability grouping” but it is seen as somehow elitist because it presumably excludes other hard-working kids who lack the same natural ability. </p>
<p>Unless you have been around a gifted child (e.g., taught one, have one of you own), it is hard to appreciate that these children grasp information at a different pace, with a different level of complexity, with a different range and breadth of understanding than others. They often languish in classrooms that claim to differentiate instruction, but let them do busywork or read novels to keep them occupied. </p>
<p>In my opinion, it takes three factors to achieve amazing results: natural talent, passion and hard work. If any of these three are lacking, the final result will not be stellar. This is true for music, athletics, and astrophysics. Yes, mitigating circumstances can interfere, such as a poor environment, poverty, family problems, depression, etc. However, as long as there is some reasonable amount of opportunity, all things being equal, I believe that these three factors are necessary conditions for outstanding achievement.</p>
<p>Just my two cents.</p>