Before I even get started a society that doesn't have a special needs program is a society that doesn't have a heart. It's necessary. So before anyone gets fired up I am not talking about eliminating special needs education.
What I am advocating is investing money into the truly gifted kids. I'm not talking about the somewhat above average kid that works his ass off to get straight As and is in advanced placement. He'll be OK and will likely do well if he stays on track.
I am talking about the rare and truly gifted kid that's forced to go to classes that hold him back and leave him sitting there bored to tears. I'm talking about the bright kid that learned to read at a college level by the time he headed into third grade. The genius that teachers never seem to notice or are too embarrassed to admit that they are challenged by the kid.
These kids are being held back by the system and should be discovered and allowed to run. There should be a gifted and talented program for the small handful that are out there. They should not be held back. Instead they should have their reins removed and be allowed to learn at their own pace. If they can get into college at 14 then let them. Don't hold them back. Let them run at their own pace.
These are the kids that only need a little guidance and have it explained to them that setting up a nuclear powerplant in their garage isn't really a good idea. Maybe hook them up with a nuclear scientist and have him learn at a nuclear powerplant or something along these lines.
These kids are few and far between and under no circumstances do they belong in the average classroom.
One of the things that should be taught as a part of a teaching certificate is how to spot these youngsters and send them to a program where their talents can be utilized.
It wouldn't be too expensive and would be one hell of a good investment in our future. These are the kids that will cure cancer or build us an energy efficient engine or something worthwhile.
Wonderful idea! I've known such kids when I was in school, and the tragedy is that a few of them just gave up and ended up in menial jobs with little hope for real success. A brilliant mind is a terrible thing to waste.
ReplyDeleteI am writing a post on what would likely happen if such a program was implemented.
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