What is the controversy with gifted education?

Because the racial composition of many gifted and talented programs does not resemble schools' overall enrollment, critics have argued that such programs essentially constitute independent, racially segregated programs within supposedly integrated schools.

What are the racial disparities in gifted education?

The 2018 Office of Civil Rights (OCR) data indicated that nationally, among elementary schools with gifted education programs, 9% of White students were identified as gifted compared to 5% of Black and 5% of Latinx students.

What are the negative characteristics of gifted learners?

Why should gifted students be challenged?

Productive struggle is an entry point to reasoning, problem-solving, and finding resources to break through learning roadblocks. Challenging gifted students to learn from their mistakes prepares them for the real world, increases their cognitive abilities, and spurs personal growth.

What happens to gifted children as adults?

Gifted children can turn into insecure, anxious and depressed gifted adults when sibling and other family interactions in childhood make them doubt their value and lovability. It doesn't take much emotional abuse (bullying by a family member) for a gifted child to believe something is wrong with them, not the bully.

Why labeling students as "gifted" isn't working

What are the downsides of giftedness?

Without understanding and support, gifted kids face an increased risk of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, along with social and academic problems. Currently, experts estimate that up to 1 in 50 gifted kids drop out of school, while many more fail to live up to their full academic potential.

What is the trauma of being a gifted child?

Gifted trauma stems from childhood issues with feeling like you don't belong anywhere because of your gift. Bullying, starving for mental stimulation, school mismatch, and other issues specific to the life experience of the gifted child may also contribute both to the main mental health issue and gift-specific trauma.

What happens when gifted kids aren't challenged?

Signs that Your Child Needs More Challenge

Children who aren't challenged by their schoolwork can quickly become disengaged. They might start to get lazy at school and actually have worse grades because they zone out.

What are three unique issues that often affect gifted and talented students?

What happens when gifted students are not challenged?

Many gifted students may lack self-management strategies such as time management and study skills. Because gifted students often progress through the early years of school without being challenged, they sometimes fail to develop the self-management skills that other students master.

How do you discipline a gifted child?

What is inappropriate instruction for gifted learners?

Instruction for gifted learners is inappropriate when it asks them to do things they already know how to do, and then to wait for others to learn how. Many advanced learners regularly complete assignments calling on materials, ideas and skills they have already mastered.

Why is my gifted child so angry?

Gifted children often set very high standards for themselves and get frustrated when they can't meet them. This can sometimes result in tantrums and other difficult behaviour. It's great for your child to work towards high standards. But your child needs to understand that they can't have high standards for everything.

What percentage of American students are considered gifted?

How many gifted children are there in the U.S.? The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights estimates that six (6) percent of public school students are enrolled in gifted and talented programs. Learn more about Gifted Education in the U.S.

Which group is the most underrepresented in gifted education?

Black and Hispanic students, English Language Learners (ELL), and students from low socioeconomic groups have been, and remain, considerably underrepresented in gifted programs.

What are some criticisms of gifted programs?

Gifted education is often an afterthought for many schools. Only four of the 32 states that provide money for gifted programs fully fund the needs of their students. As a result, many gifted programs run on very small budgets and have limited resources. As people want to say, “you get what you pay for”.

Do gifted kids struggle later in life?

Some “former gifted kids” have even shared that they received diagnoses of depression, anxiety, or ADHD later in life — issues they've struggled with since childhood but were masked by their temperament because they didn't exhibit “typical behavior issues.” Of course, it's worth noting that it is also possible for HSPs ...

Is gifted neurodivergent?

Gifted children may display neurodivergent traits without being neurodivergent, but because missing a diagnosis carries risks, parents and educators should err on the side of caution and be willing to assess gifted children.

Why do gifted students struggle in college?

In addition to pressures from academic and family expectations, students who are gifted may struggle in school because of social issues. Some of the issues these students can face in school include: Embarrassment for being different or standing out. Bullying from peers due to their intelligence or differences.

What is the common misdiagnosis of gifted children?

The most common mis-diagnoses are: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (OD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Mood Disorders such as Cyclothymic Disorder, Dysthymic Disorder, Depression, and Bi-Polar Disorder.

How rare is it to have a gifted child?

Most people use terms like “bright,” “gifted,” “exceptional,” “remarkable,” and “talented” interchangeably, but when a psychologist uses the term “gifted,” we're usually talking about something that is statistically quite rare. About 3 to 5 out of every 100 children could be considered gifted.

Can someone lose their giftedness?

If it was based on your IQ then you are probably still gifted. Raw intellect doesn't just disappear unless there is trauma or some other ailment causing mental deterioration.

Are gifted kids more likely to have mental illness?

While gifted children may not be any more susceptible to mental health issues as other adolescents, there are certain aspects of giftedness that may influence or amplify a gifted child's experience of mental health issues.

Is The Drama of the Gifted Child about narcissism?

Alice Miller, the eminent Swiss psychoanalyst, wrote a bestselling book decades ago, “The Drama of the Gifted Child,” which addressed how parental narcissism holds children back from exploring their own creativity and potential.

Are gifted children harder to parent?

Gifted children are challenging to parent in many ways. The more gifted the child, the more often it seems the more the parent is frustrated with the discrepancy of someone able to do school several levels above age level but unable to remember to take their finished work to school.