Imagine these situations: you have been fired from your job because you are too old; you are not promoted because you are too old; you are not hired because you are too old. You'd probably say that you are being discriminated against because of your age. And you would be right.
But what if you aren't hired because you are too young? Is that age discrimination? If you have reached the legally mandated age to be allowed to work, is it discrimination if you are denied a job because of your youth? What about a promotion? Is it discrimination if you are passed over for a promotion because of your age?
It might be more difficult to understand age discrimination based on youth since it is hard to separate age from experience. But what if you have the required skills and experience? What if the sole reason for not being hired or promoted is the fact that the potential employer simply thinks you are too young? Most of us would agree that these are cases of age discrimination.
Age discrimination is not acceptable in the work place. It is, however, acceptable in schools. Many gifted children are not given appropriate work or are not placed in the appropriate grade level simply because of their age. Six-year-olds, according to the educational system, belong in first grade. It doesn't matter that some are capable of (and often already doing) third grade level work. They aren't the right age. As with the example of work, other aspects can cloud the issue, maturity and behavior, for example, but if we take those out of the equation, that is, we say all those things are equal, aren't we discriminating against those gifted children when we deny them the appropriate academic situation solely because of their age?
What would our schools be like if our system weren't based on age grouping? Share your opinion by clicking on the Comment link below.
But what if you aren't hired because you are too young? Is that age discrimination? If you have reached the legally mandated age to be allowed to work, is it discrimination if you are denied a job because of your youth? What about a promotion? Is it discrimination if you are passed over for a promotion because of your age?
It might be more difficult to understand age discrimination based on youth since it is hard to separate age from experience. But what if you have the required skills and experience? What if the sole reason for not being hired or promoted is the fact that the potential employer simply thinks you are too young? Most of us would agree that these are cases of age discrimination.
Age discrimination is not acceptable in the work place. It is, however, acceptable in schools. Many gifted children are not given appropriate work or are not placed in the appropriate grade level simply because of their age. Six-year-olds, according to the educational system, belong in first grade. It doesn't matter that some are capable of (and often already doing) third grade level work. They aren't the right age. As with the example of work, other aspects can cloud the issue, maturity and behavior, for example, but if we take those out of the equation, that is, we say all those things are equal, aren't we discriminating against those gifted children when we deny them the appropriate academic situation solely because of their age?
What would our schools be like if our system weren't based on age grouping? Share your opinion by clicking on the Comment link below.
MMy son has had this done to him. In third grade he was tested and it was found that he was on 7th grade or above level at reading and math areas. It was not until 4th grade that I was able to put him in advanced classes. He made straight A’s because the work was “easy”. I questioned the fact of either teachin him harder things or moving him a grade level. I was told to wait another school year and see what it was like then. Here we are in another school year and he is bringning home striaight A’s again. I brought it up again about have him moved and I was told that he was to young/immature to do the move. Yeah he started at an early age going to school. He is by far the youngest in his class but why use that as a reason. If he is making 100- 105 on his weekly spelling test each week cause he knows the words without having to study them, does this not show that he is above what they are teaching?
I definitely agree that age grouping is a bad thing. I’m a middle school student in the public school system, and I’m having plenty of trouble with the system.
First, when I was transferred from private school to public, I was told that I had to repeat fourth grade because I wasn’t old enough for fifth, even though I’d done all of the work. Repeatedly has the school system refused to let me try something because I haven’t taken an official course in it, even when I know the work, or because I’m too young.
Then, in sixth grade, even though I’d signed up for pre-algebra or algebra (advanced courses) I was given 6th grade math because apparently I hadn’t scored hough enough on the ability test to get into the classes. When another student, a friend of mine, told the guidance counselor that I should be in pre-algebra at least, they looked at my scores on the pre-test for sixth grade math. I’d scored a 80 something before taking the year long class. Unfortunately, I was informed that it was too late in the school year to move me up (it was a month in).
So, next year, I took algebra, completely skipping pre-algebra. Thanks to the year I missed, I had some trouble adjusting to the amount and level of work, although I did mantain straight A’s.
In eighth grade, I’m taking Geometry and Spanish 2 (having completed Spanish 1 in 7th), which were the only advanced options for me, other than the ‘Excel’ program, which just pulls you out of class, so you then have extra work on subjects you’re not necessarily interested in. Still, my classes are so easy that I read through all of them except Spanish and mantain straight A’s. In at least one class I have an average over 100 because of extra credit. The other problem in eighth grade is Civics and Economics class. I scored an 86 on the pre-test, never having taken any class in it. The norm is 50 percent. I was still forced to take the class and perform all work, even when I knew everything.
Now, my parents are desperately looking for other options in high school that will be more challenging. Again, though, core classes are required, with the only differentiation being between Academic courses, which are designed to move faster, and general courses. My teachers have told me that these courses will not be enough for me. What do I do? Well, I guess my parents and I will keep searching for more and better options.
I know exactly how this feels. I was never challenged in high school, and my classes were just too easy. I am a very fast reader, so I can read something in less than half the time of my peers and remember it without a problem. As such, I absorbe information much more quickly than the rest of the class, and get frusttrated when the teacher goes over something three times.
I graduated high school early, leaving after my junior year. I did not graduate “with honors” becuase of the switch in my year, even though I never slipped below an A average!
I moved into my college dorm at 16. Even in college, my classes were not as chalenging as I had hoped. Taking five classes (full time for my school is 3, average load is 4) I still mantained a 3.8 GPA, earning a 4.0 in the one class I had no background in. I my history class, I would write down notes that the teacher would not include in his lectures, but I already knew!
Yes, being 17 and in college has posed alot of challenges for me, but I was ready for them. One time I even had a proffessor call my dad, becuase for one of our assignments, I had to sign off that I was 18! Now at home for the summer, I am facing the challeges of by 17 again. I will recieve my degree 4 months after my 20th birthday. I have no idea if I will be able to get a job anywhere becuase of my age.
Parents, Children, fight for what you believe in. If you think that your child is not being challenged enough, push harder for programs or work that will get them ahead. Kids, dont let anybody tell you that you cannot succseed becuase of your age. Look at the stage, not the age!
My teachers had me placed in the 5th grade, skipping the 4th. This was in 1965. I was placed back into the 4th grade when another student’s mother complained that her son should also be allowed to skip 4th grade. After all, he was the son of a dentist!
Almost 20 years later, I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder. I will always believe this condition was cultivated by being so horribly bored during my elementary school years.
I am a freshmen in highschool with a college level reading level. I am also taking geometry and am in biology. I am the only freshmen to get counselor/teacher aproval to be in ap chem which is 2 years ahead of my pears and know learning that I will be turned down over people with lower science scores and lower bio grades. Just so that they can have room for them even though I have already been given permission to intern at The university Of Washington.