Critics of such programs claim that the students who are already motivated to learn receive the most talented teachers and best resources.  [Joy] Berry argues that academically gifted children are “driven towards intellectual exploration and discovery and they cannot be derailed. They are so resourceful at getting their needs met. They will seek out libraries, museums, and experts for those conversations.”

Advocates for gifted education disagree, responding that gifted programs are more than just enrichment for successful students. “The myth that gifted children will be okay on their own … is just that – a myth,” Jane Clarenbach, public relations director of the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), has noted. “We’re failing to develop the talent of some of our top students, which leads (for some of them) to underachievement and lack of interest in school.”

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When we speak of “gifted students” we are not just, or even necessarily, talking about high performing students. We are talking about students whose educational needs are different enough from the general population that they require a special plan to appropriately address those needs.

Like arts programs, gifted programs are often seen as “extras” to be cut during difficult economic times.

While gifted programs may have important benefits for gifted students, they are not in and of themselves a plan for a gifted student’s education. A gifted student’s educational needs may be met with or without a formal gifted program.

My concern about the elimination of gifted programs is that we are removing an important resource that can engage gifted students in school. Gifted students, especially those who are members of traditionally marginalized minority groups and lower socio-economic families, have a disturbingly high drop out rate. One of the common reasons cited is lack of investment in the school and its social environment. Gifted programs can help these students understand their own learning process, promote self-esteem and confidence, and connect these students with their school community.

Gifted programs are not just training camps for smart kids to increase already high test scores, they are resources to help meet the needs of individual students and giving them access to an appropriate educational environment.