Gifted underachievers

Specialized Counseling Services for Gifted Youth and Their Families: A Needs Assessment

“…Many underachieving gifted children have psychosocial adjustment problems (Dowdall & Colangelo, 1982). Researchers have hypothesized a number of possible causes for underachievement among gifted children including poverty, boredom, inappropriate school environments, personal adjustment problems, peer influences, social selfdefense, and family problems (Compton, 1982;Dowdall & Colangelo, 1982;Kolb & Jussim, 1993;Pirozzo, 1982;Rimm, 1995bRimm, , 1995cRimm & Lowe, 1988).…”

Predictable Crises of the Gifted Student

“…Many gifted students are especially sensitive to perceived personal shortcomings and discrepancies in their abilities (Strang, 1951). Underachievers have been found to differ widely from achievers in the development of traits such as self-confidence, persistence in accomplishment of goals, likability, and cooperation (Gallagher, 1975;Pirozzo, 1981;Terman & Oden, 1947).…”

“…Gifted students are not content merely to complete the exercises or activities included in most school curricula (Treffinger, 1980). Traditional teachers and school officials tend to emphasize convergent thinking and rote memory (Pirozzo, 1981). Consequently, bright students must often repress their curiosities and creative thoughts.…”

Differentiating Curriculum for Gifted Students by Providing Accelerated Options

“…One of the major factors causing gifted students to become underachievers is unchallenging curriculum. (Baker, Bridger, & Evans, 1998;Baum, Renzulli, & Heber, 1995;Diaz, 1998;Pirozzo, 1982;Reis, Hebert, Diaz, Maxfield & Ratley, 1995;Reis, & McCoach, 2000;Rimm, 1997;Rimm & Lovance, 1992;Supplee, 1990;Tsai, 1998;Tsai, 1999;Whitmore, 1980). Gifted students can comprehend high levels of content, but the regular curriculum provides materials that are repetitive or too easy.…”