There is often some confusion and a lack of clarity that leaves individuals unsure about gifted education. Many myths prevent gifted students from getting the education they need and deserve, as the National Association for Gifted Children explains. The myths and truths below are some of the most prevalent, with many others being explored in Gifted Child Quarterly.
Myth: Gifted students don’t need help.
Truth: Although they are high achieving, gifted students need support and guidance from teachers who understand their needs. Because gifted children can be so far ahead of their peers, this can result in boredom, low achievement, and frustration. Having help and support from effective teachers is crucial to preventing these problems and helping the students to develop their abilities.
Myth: Gifted children will do just fine in the regular classroom.
Truth: Despite teachers’ best efforts to challenge children of all levels in their classrooms, not all educators are familiar with the needs of gifted students. The Fordham Institute found that 73% of teachers agree that the brightest students are underchallenged and not given the chance to thrive. Schools focused specifically on gifted education come into play to fix this issue.
Myth: Gifted students will be role models for other students and make the class smarter.
Truth: Students who are of average or below-average learning level do not look up to gifted students in this way. Unfortunately, struggling students are already battling self-confidence challenges and do not usually view gifted students as encouragement. Moreover, gifted students benefit more from interacting with students on a similar level as them.
Myth: All children are gifted.
Truth: While it is true that all children have their special talents and strengths, the definition of “gifted” within the school setting and in the educational sense is defined by capacity of learning and application of what is learned. This “advanced capacity” requires different methods of learning and other modifications to the standard curriculum.
Myth: Gifted education programs are elitist.
Truth: Gifted education programs have been created to help students that are not being challenged by standard educational curriculum. Gifted students can come from a wide variety of socioeconomic backgrounds and cultures, and there is no reason to think that gifted education programs are elitist. It is true, however, that some gifted students may not have equal opportunity or access to gifted programming due to local and federal funding or identification practices.
Click here to read more from the National Association for Gifted Children.
