Recently, the question of the state of the education systems in America has been a rising topic in various political and educational arenas. The concentration of this topic has been the service to different genders, socio-economic backgrounds, and races yet the demographics of IQ’s and how the system is nurturing each child’s potential has been neglected. The purpose of schools and educators alike is to nurture children to their full potential, and not to average therefore the new mentality of cutting funding for gifted programs in order to fund special education programs is defeating the purpose of socialized education. For the first time in my life, I have questioned the American idea of egalitarianism, the objective in American public schools to spend billions of tax money a year on bringing low IQ and special education children to average is hurting the most intelligent young Americans, and ultimately the future of our country.

As an identified “gifted kid”, I attended a summer honors institute at Bowling Green State University for high school kids who have tested gifted. Being surrounded by intelligent, and politically aware and informed people my age, it was inevitable that passionate political discussions were to arise, and the topic of gifted education was one of the more prevalent topics of our discussion. All being residents of Ohio, and the majority attending Ohio public schools (ranked approximately 37th nationwide) this group of kids is completely aware that they are being short-changed by the school systems, and that they are completely on their own to attain the intellectual and academic stimulation they long for. These are bright, motivated young adults who have the ability, potential, and desire to change their communities, their country, and their world. So is the argument that gifted education is “elitist” really worth sacrificing the future of these teenagers?

Every year $8 billion is spent nationwide on the development of special education programs in public schools whereas only 10% of that $800,000 is spent on the development of gifted programs. Why is it up to the Federal Government to determine which kids are allowed to meet their potential or not? Since the installment of No Child Left Behind laws, gifted programs have continued to suffer, due to the pressure on school systems to raise test scores, and therefore concentrate on children who need to be brought to average. By labeling kids, whether it’s gifted or mentally challenged, school systems automatically put them in separate groups, programs, and curriculums thus separating them from mainstream public school students. In 1954 the United States Supreme Court decided on the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education, which overturned the 1896 case Plessy v. Ferguson and deemed Separate But Equal laws unconstitutional. This case stated that it is the right of every public school student to have an equal education regardless of race, religion, or gender, but what about IQ?

Can it not be said that in separating students into different programs and, in some cases, different schools entirely (i.e. talented and gifted academies) then refusing to fund those schools equally it is a violation of Brown v. Board of Education? Political opinions set aside, it can be agreed that America’s school systems are in trouble and for the well being of our country it is imperative that something be done. This issue is something that is close to my heart, for had it not been for an amazing amount of luck and opportunity, I too would have gone through school as one of thousands of kids nationwide who are being neglected, disenfranchised and otherwise ignored by public school systems and legislators alike.

Posted by at August 19, 2007 10:00 PM

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