Gifted Education as a Vehicle for Enhancing Social Equality

Abstract

Considering the benefits that accrue in countries having low levels of social inequality and the harm that accompanies wide disparities in income, it is important to examine any practices or traditions that contribute to inequality. Under some circumstances, gifted education does confer advantages that are not available to all students, particularly when its identification procedures fail to recognize potential in students not in the dominant group or when services improve the educational opportunities only for those who are identified even though all students could benefit. The elimination of age grading, a practice that inhibits the development of potential for many children, including gifted children, is recommended as a solution to the inequality engendered by current practice.

Keywords:

• advocacy
• defensible gifted education
• gifted education
• gifted identification
• nongraded schools
• social inequality
• social justice

Notes

1. Gifted students taught together with their nongifted peers fall under the differentiation model of service.