Leveling of Abilities in Third Grade
Wednesday August 9, 2006
Some people believe that children who start school knowing more than their age mates lose any advantage they may have in third or fourth grade when the other children catch up. In other words, abilities become more level, or as many say, "Everything evens out in third grade." Others believe that that those children with academic advantages keep those advantage throughout their school years? What do you think? Take the poll and see how many others feel as you do.
Poll: Do you believe abilities "even out" by third or fourth grade?
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Poll: Do you believe abilities "even out" by third or fourth grade?
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Comments
My guess would be that kids who are gifted retain the advantage past third grade, whereas kids who just had parents who worked with them a lot would level out with kids whose parents didn’t, by about third grade. This would explain why most GATE programs start around third or fourth. (I’m just guessing, though.)
Close, Elizabeth! The only part you left out is the part about gifted kids losing their motivation to learn by third grade. But you are right about this leveling being one reason most gifted programs don’t start until third or fourth grade. School officials think the “real” cream will rise to the top and be easier to spot. (Lack of money, though, is another reason.)
As gifted child, I can say that it will never “even out”. Once you are gifted, you stay gifted. The only thing that will change is what the school will say about you. So to all those who say “Yes”; I implore you to take a closer look at your child in the near and distant future.