High Achieving Students Excel in Demanding Academic Programs

Many gifted students excel in demanding academic programs.  They stay focused, have good work habits and are good classroom students. These same students may not excel in programs that are not challenging.

Since academic success depends on the quality of the school program, parents and educators should evaluate instructional programs in the context of a student's actual achievement and abilities.

School averages on standardized tests provide some information about the academic levels and expectations in the classroom.   Parents should evaluate the classroom program if their children's standardized test results are significantly higher than class averages.

From an advocate's point of view, class averages do not indicate the level of knowledge or appropriateness of classroom learning for a gifted child.  Many gifted children are more than one grade level ahead of their peers. Low classroom averages do not tell the whole story, but they do warrant investigation.  If a great majority of the students are testing well, chances are that the classroom program is directed at a higher level than lower test scoring classrooms.  

For more information, advocacy or assistance, email giftedadvocate@gmail.com