Opinion
Education Letter to the Editor

Help the Economy by Helping Disadvantaged Gifted Students

December 08, 2008 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

To the Editor:

In response to your online article “AFT President Signals Openness to Reforms” (edweek.org, Nov. 17, 2008):

Kudos to the new president of the American Federation of Teachers, Randi Weingarten, who is making support for high-ability students from disadvantaged backgrounds a top priority for the union. In her speech last month at the National Press Club, Ms. Weingarten said that “we also must help the high-achieving students from low-income households who, with extra support, will become our nation’s leaders. ... We must not allow a declining economy to foreclose on the dreams of strivers from struggling families.”

How right she is. In this recession, it is our responsibility to prepare students for a better future. Supporting our most promising learners is essential to the progress and development of America. We must offer these students opportunities for academic and personal growth and prepare them to become the next generation of innovators.

Far too often, especially at the federal level, education for gifted students is all but ignored. While all gifted students suffer from this slight, those most affected are the countless numbers of high-achieving students who, because they live in disadvantaged and underserved areas, fail to be identified and provided the services they need to flourish. Gifted education can stop the cycle of poverty by helping disadvantaged students reach their full potential and achieve their dreams and goals.

Nancy Green

Executive Director

National Association for Gifted Children

Washington, D.C.

A version of this article appeared in the December 10, 2008 edition of Education Week as Help the Economy by Helping Disadvantaged Gifted Students

Events

This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Reading & Literacy Webinar
The Future of the Science of Reading
Join us for a discussion on the future of the Science of Reading and how to support every student’s path to literacy.
Content provided by HMH
Mathematics K-12 Essentials Forum Helping Students Succeed in Math
Student Well-Being Live Online Discussion A Seat at the Table: The Power of Emotion Regulation to Drive K-12 Academic Performance and Wellbeing
Wish you could handle emotions better? Learn practical strategies with researcher Marc Brackett and host Peter DeWitt.

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Education Quiz Trump’s Surprise Freeze on School Funding—How Much Do You Know?
Test your knowledge on the latest news and trends in education.
1 min read
Education Quiz What Lowers Teacher Turnover? Take This Weekly Quiz
Test your knowledge on the latest news and trends in education.
1 min read
Education Quiz Which State Is About to Pass a ‘Science of Reading’ Law? Take This Weekly Quiz
Test your knowledge on the latest news and trends in education.
1 min read
Education Quiz What is a Project 2025 Author Doing at the Education Department? Take This Weekly Quiz
Test your knowledge on the latest news and trends in education.
1 min read