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Not just gifted kids, but kids who simply learn differently, are being underserved.

I think there are so many more poor performers that they have hogged all the attention. So we've been attacking the problem of poor performers, and assuming everything else is working fine.

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I agree. Though you only need one or two "difficult" children in a class for them to take 60% of a teachers time. The pigeon-holing of children in categories is also irksome. I never met an "all-round" genius, and currently schools are not set up to perform to strength. There is no rule saying that a child cannot be in grade five maths and grade two reading at the same time. University is set up with more flexibility, why not school?

There is no rule saying that a child cannot be in grade five maths and grade two reading at the same time.

Exactly. First dividing children into groups with age as the main consideration plays havoc with many aspects of school administration. Schools don't have to be organized with age-segregated grades, and probably shouldn't be.

http://learninfreedom.org/age_grading_bad.html

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