• Education -> Pedagogy and Educational Psychology

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Is gifted education elitist and discriminatory towards other students?

Lavon McPhelimy

Gifted education has been a controversial subject for some time. Many question whether providing special educational programs to gifted students is discriminatory towards those who do not qualify for such programs. Some even go as far as to claim that gifted education is elitist and creates an inherent segregation among students.

In reality, gifted education does not discriminate against other students. In fact, it should be considered as an opportunity for all students to receive their best education possible. Gifted education programs are developed to meet the needs of gifted students, who may benefit from a different approach or pace of learning. These programs are designed to challenge and stimulate gifted learners to reach their full potential. Inclusion of gifted students does not prohibit or harm other students. It simply allows for a more balanced education that supports all students according to their individual abilities.

Moreover, gifted education programs are not based on social or economic status, but on intellectual ability. Gifted students come from all backgrounds: some from low-income families and some from affluent backgrounds. The key factor is their innate ability to learn and process information at a faster pace. By catering to their intellectual needs, gifted education programs ensure that these students have the opportunity to excel academically, regardless of their background.

It’s important to understand that gifted education programs do not harm other students in any way. Along with providing an opportunity for gifted students to broaden their learning and development, they provide benefits for non-gifted students as well. Gifted students participating in specialized programs are more likely to become leaders and achieve higher academic successes, which impacts their educational environment positively. The hands-on and out-of-the-box learning approach followed by gifted students often influences the classroom environment and encourages their peers to expand their minds and think critically. This further benefits other students who gain the opportunity to learn from the intellectually exceptional.

In addition, gifted education programs don’t fuel elitism but rather inclusion and diversity. By celebrating and appreciating the intellectual abilities of gifted students, it encourages a sense of diversity in the classroom. It encourages students from different backgrounds to come together, learn from each other, and appreciate their differences.

In conclusion, Gifted education programs are not discriminatory or elitist towards other students in any way. They provide exceptional students with the support they need to achieve their potential. Inclusion of gifted education programs in classroom results in balanced learning, and it extends an opportunity to all students to lead, influence, and learn from each other - irrespective of intellectual ability. Gifted education programs contribute to building a better and wiser future for all our students.