Dispelling the myths around gifted education
How often have you heard, “Gifted students will do fine on their own?” This is just one of the many myths that become barriers to properly educating millions of high-potential students. The following is a list of the most prevalent myths in gifted education, accompanied by evidence rebutting each of them.
Let's ensure that all kids have access to gifted programs in Illinois
As a parent of three young children in Chicago Public Schools, I’m starting to get nervous.
How tracking can raise the test scores of high-ability minority students
David GriffithBy David Griffith
Challenges to the pursuit of equity in excellence
A recent report showing low levels of participation by black, Hispanic, and low-income students in the gifted and talented programs of Montgomery County underscores the significant challenges befo
High-potential students thrive when school districts develop sustainable gifted services
The goal of gifted programs should reflect that of any other educational program: to engage students with appropriately challenging curricula and instruction on a daily basis and in all relevant content areas so that they can make continual academic growth.
One size may fit most, but certainly not the gifted and talented
Last fall, the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) published a working paper by researchers Thomas S. Dee and Hans Henrik Sieversten titled The Gift of Time? School Starting Age and Mental Health. The well-developed study quantifies the effects of predicating enrollment in formal schooling on the mental health of students.
Leaving talent on the table: Fixing gifted education in America
Talk is cheap.For decades, elected officials, education leaders, and others have consumed much oxygen talking about the challenges facing our nation from countries doing a much better job developing their academic talent.Despite this the reality is that we have largely failed to address this concern as many of our most talented children are being overlooked and uncultivated.
Breaking the artificial ceilings we place over gifted and talented children
On January 23, the Economist sent a clear warning to world leaders about the ways that “governments are systematically preventing [youth] from reaching their potential.” In the article “Young, gifted and held back,” authors point to many polici
Equal Talents, Unequal Opportunities: A Report Card on State Support for Academically Talented Low-Income Students
Michelle LernerNo state does right by its “high flyers,” and most do an awful lot wrong. Michelle Lerner
What Works in Gifted Education: Documenting the Effects of an Integrated Curricular/Instructional Model for Gifted Students
Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.Another good idea limited by flawed assessments. Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.
Life in the Fast Lane: Effects of Early Grade Acceleration on High School and College Outcomes
Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.Kids who skip grades stay ahead of the pack. Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.
NEW from Fordham: Common Core and America's High-Achieving Students
The Education GadflyWhile the merit and politics of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) have been much debated and discussed, one topic has been virtually ignored: What do the standards portend for America’s high-ability students? In a new brief from Fordham, Jonathan Plucker, professor of education at the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education, provides guidance for districts
Can gifted education survive the Common Core?
Chester E. Finn, Jr., Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.Higher standards are no excuse to ditch gifted services. Chester E. Finn, Jr. and Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.
In defense of New York City's selective high schools
Derrell BradfordThis post was originally published in a slightly different form by the CUNY Institute for Education Policy.
Punishing achievement in our schools
Chester E. Finn, Jr.President Obama’s contempt for the Constitution, and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan’s unfortunate disregard of that document, have been loudly and justly decried by critics of executive overreach. Less heralded, but equally troubling, is the mission creep of the Office for Civil Rights as it works to reshape the education world and to right whatever alleged wrongs it thinks it sees.
How to challenge voracious young readers
Give ‘em great books and get out of the way. Peter Sipe
Why does America produce so few low-income high-achieving students?
Brandon L. WrightWe know from international data—PISA, TIMSS, and so on—that other countries produce more “high achievers” than we do (at least in relation to the
Yes, gifted programs improve learning
Brandon L. WrightA recent study examined whether gifted programs benefit students at the margin: those who barely “made the cut” for admission into a program and those who barely missed it.
Quick hits for a Friday
Checker Finn, chagrined at the lack of attention to gifted education in the U.S., has decided to study what other nations do.
Gifted education—what I saw, what I’m learning
Chester E. Finn, Jr.I’m halfway through an ambitious research project, in which I examine how other countries educate their high-ability kids in the hope that we might pick up tips that would prove useful in improving the woeful state of “gifted education” in the U.S.
Hard work: Vital and overlooked
Brandon L. WrightHere’s a simple thought experiment:
America and its high-potential kids
Throughout much of 2013, a colleague and I worked on a project related to America’s highest-potential boys and girls, students colloquially known as “gifted.” Though I learned a great deal, it was mostly a discouraging enterprise.
It’s a bad idea to use a lottery system for varsity football…and for varsity courses
Michelle LernerLottery systems are too common in education. And while it’s the fairest way to allocate a limited number of seats at, say, an oversubscribed, high-performing charter school, it’s not the way forward when it comes to Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Unfortunately, that’s the direction some California school districts may be heading.
Columbus school reform shouldn’t forget the whiz kids
Aaron ChurchillHigh-ability low-income students could get lost in the shuffle in Columbus
Ed Next Book Club: Tony Wagner on Creating Innovators
In this edition of the Ed Next Book Club, Mike Petrilli sits down with Tony Wagner to discuss his new book
What We’re Listening To: Mike Petrilli and Josh Starr on Whether the Brightest Students Are Being Challenged
This week, Mike Petrilli was a guest on "What’s the Big Idea?," a podcast hosted by Josh Starr
Playing the gifted-student race card
Chester E. Finn, Jr.Shame on the New York Times
Fordham President Chester E. Finn, Jr. receives NAGC President's Award
Pamela TatzCongratulations to Checker, who received the 2012 National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) President’s award for outstanding contributions to the field of gifted education