Huff Post Parents featured an article that begins, “Being gifted can pose its challenges — at least that’s according to a Vanderbilt University study that found that schools sometimes limit their most talented students and, thus, keep them from reaching their maximum potential.”
Did someone really have to do a study on this? It seems obvious to me; however, looking at the comments, apparently there are folks who haven’t considered that students who learn easily and quickly (AKA gifted) are frustrated and bored in a regular classroom.
Public school either teaches to the middle, or to the slowest learner in the room. This isn’t a criticism. It’s a fact. The larger the institution (i.e. public education) the less able it is to accommodate the needs of those who aren’t in ‘the middle.’ It’s a challenge for students at either end, and for the teachers, too. Take it from me, a former middle school teacher.
Then take a subject like a second language. I was a French teacher. Not only do students have different learning styles, they have different abilities as well. For some, another language was a painful experience. Some just didn’t want to be there (or any other class, for that matter) and acted out. For others, it was an intellectual challenge. And for still others, it was intellectually stimulating and a joyful experience (a teacher’s dream). There were days when I watched the faces of the last two groups of students and cried inside, because I knew they truly wanted to, and were able to, learn. From time to time I offered enrichment before school. It rarely worked, because these were the same students who used that time for band, chorus, student council, peer tutors.
It is what it is. If you are fortunate enough to be able to afford private school tuition, more power to you and your child. If not, your child will learn, grow and achieve. It just might be frustrating along the way… until they get to college, and their learning is in their own hands.