One doesn’t have to look too far to see that public schools are very damaging to many, if not most kids.
Given the populations they deal with, many schools today are skilled at providing good care for children with special needs.
One category of need is for the “gifted” child.
During my public school days, nobody knew much about giftedness, but the Dallas mega-public school system did a pretty good job of separating out high achievers and pushing them through an excellent college prep curriculum.
Positive and negative characteristics of gifted children
Positive
Learns rapidly and easily.
Learns rapidly and easily.
Is highly imaginative.
Is less inclined to follow the organization and ideas of others.
Has a high degree of curiosity.
Asks many questions. Is interested in a wide range of things.
Has keen powers of observation and is alert.
Reasons things out, thinks clearly, recognizes relationships, comprehends meanings.
Has longer attention and interest span.
Can often form generalizations and use them in new situations.
Has greater than average ability to grasp abstract concepts and see abstract relationships.
Has a large vocabulary which is used easily and accurately.
Retains what has been heard or read without much rote drill.
Enjoys reading, usually at a mature level.
Follows directions easily.
Has a good sense of humor.
Can use material, words, or ideas in new ways.
Has a strong desire to excel.
Uses a great deal of common sense and practical knowledge.
Is a leader in several kinds of activities. Is often asked ideas and suggestions. Is looked to by others when something must be decided.
Negative
Can easily become bored with routine assignments.
May want to do things his/her own way--why not?
Can become a real pest.
May notice too much in the classroom.
May see relationships others do not see and want to spend large amounts of class time discussing all this.
Sometimes doesn't want to stop one project and start the next.
May notice the teacher's lack of inconsistency with "But you said we should always..."
Can get lost in pursuing own thoughts. Can appear to be daydreaming or not paying attention. Can lose other students or "turn them off."
Often gets bored by repetitious assignments.
Always has nose in a book and maybe the book doesn't seem terribly appropriate.
May not always pay close attention to those directions.
Can make jokes at adults' expense. Not everyone appreciates this.
Sometimes too innovative.
Can be easily or too deeply upset by perceived "failure."
Can be too authoritative.
Can become too bossy and be unwilling to listen to the opinions of others.
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Delphi/2746/rwclub/gifted.html
