I used to hate the term "Gifted and Talented" when I was in school.  It always made me feel ungifted and untalented.  But despite my objections to the title of the program, I am able to see the benefits, and, in fact, necessity of it.  It is true that there are some students who can perform on a level that can't be compared to their peers.  These students are rare and different.  

Gifted and Talented students require a very high level of intellectual stimulation to stay engaged and involved.  Unfortunately, in the age of budget cuts and deficits, it is more and more challenging to provide programs that provide the kind of stimulation these kids needs.  To read more about these types of programs that are being cut, click here.  The last fifteen years in education have been focused almost exclusively on bringing the bottom kids up.  Those kids who are on the top of the academic scale have largely been ignored.

And society wonders why we are falling behind the global achievement levels.  These kids, who may not be many in number, are the future.  Instead of giving them every opportunity to excel, we have made them put the brakes on so hard there are skid marks!  "Whoa, wait for these kids to catch up" (even if you have to wait all year!)  And while they are waiting they get bored and distracted which equals unproductive and disruptive.  

Remember that title I disdain?  It's true, it is a gift...not a curse.  Let's act like it.