Arguments Against and for Gifted Education

Topic 1

Arguments For and Against Limiting Gifted to Academics Only

There are advocates that agree that gifted programs should be set aside for academics only; whereas, others will strongly argue that we should also foster other talents and gifts identified in other (non-academic) areas. Surprisingly, there are justifiable reasons on both sides of this intense debate. Perhaps, that is the reason why gifted and talented programs differ significantly throughout the United States.

Commonly, most school districts focus on providing gifted classes for the sole purpose of enriching academics- and for good cause. Sadly, as we try to bridge the gap between on high and low achieving students, our expectations are on a steep decline in the regular classroom. Standardized testing expectations have gradually become less through the past few decades. Textbook publishers have even started writing curriculum below grade level to assist struggling students. Is this really helping our children? With the decline in education, it makes sense to provide an advanced curriculum, a gifted academics class, to meet the needs of those (academically) gifted students. Our country ranks low in education in comparison to many other places. With our children falling behind, can we really afford to focus on other areas, such as art and music, when they are barely meeting the minimum academic standards? With the extreme budget cuts in education, the first things to wane are classes that are viewed as being extracurricular.

Most school districts identify gifted students through the administration of an IQ test and/or based on teachers’ recommendations. In addition, it is based only on one test! Would that be considered completely accurate? Unfortunately, this also greatly restricts gifted programs to students that only demonstrate an exceptional intellectual ability. These disadvantaged and underrepresented groups include: minorities, economically disadvantaged...