Morning Must-Read: David Card and Laura Giuliano: Gifted Education

David Card and Laura Giuliano: Study by UC Berkeley professor, colleague questions effects of gifted education: “Students with high standardized test scores…

…but relatively lower IQs than their “gifted” counterparts experience the most improvement in their test scores–particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds who are commonly excluded from gifted and talented programs…. David Card and… Laura Giuliano… one of the only two studies evaluating the effects of gifted education. “Unfortunately, there’s not enough scientific knowledge on how any of these programs work,” Card said… a large, urban district in Florida. Students within the district are admitted to gifted programs, determined by a high IQ score. To fill out empty seats in the gifted class, the district would admit students who scored at the top of their third-grade class in standardized tests. Researchers found that these students improved more in their standardized test scores as a result of enrolling in the gifted class…