Brightest Stall, Low Achievers Gain

From The Wall Street Journal:

Some Say Top Students Need Attention Given to Weaker Performers, as Smart Kids' Scores Barely Move

BY STEPHANIE BANCHERO

A national focus on the lowest-achieving students has helped boost their academic performance, but it has left the country's brightest young minds behind, prompting calls to rethink how schools teach top kids.

Recent data, including results released last week from national math and reading exams, how high achievers are stagnating and falling behind their international counterparts.

A report by the National Association for Gifted Children released this week said public schools deny top-performing children the resources, properly trained teachers and coherent policies they need to excel.

More here.

The NAGC's report, 2010-2011: State of the Nation in Gifted Education, A Lack of Committment to Talent Development, was released this past week. The Executive Summary is here.

Some findings:

• U.S. students continue to lag behind other nations on a host of international tests in math, science and reading.

• The achievement gap between high-ability minority and low-income students and their non-minority peers is widening.

• The nation continues to rely heavily on foreign-born talent, particularly in demanding math and science fields.

• While evidence of the neglect of our most capable students has increased, our collective resolve to address it in a comprehensive and meaningful manner has diminished.

The data collected in the biannual State of the States survey and highlighted here offer a snapshot of state policies and practices affecting gifted and talented learners in the 2010-2011 school year. Forty-four (44) states and 1 territory responded to the survey.

What the Data Tell Us:

There is "a disturbing lack of accountability;" "Limited Support for High-Potential and High-Ability Students;" "Teachers [are] Unprepared to Meet Student Needs;" and there is a "Patchwork Collection of Services."