The National Association for Gifted Children Takes Pleasure in Announcing the Fourth Annual Essay Contest for Teachers

Abstract

Many answers might be suggested as possible solutions to the problem of why gifted do not achieve as they might. It is known that some boys and girls feel they are more accepted if they are just one of the gang. Others, because of the grades that they have been accorded, have no insight into their real talents. At one time researchers indicated that teachers could recognize the gifted child in fifteen per cent of the cases. More recently, it has been estimated teachers can identify gifted in forty per cent of the cases. It is heartening to see the improvement in teachers judgment. This no doubt refiects the increased interest and sensitivity to the existence of the gifted child in the classroom. In addition, parents play a role in the child's aspirations. It is evident that many factors influence the child's desire or lack of desire to do his best. It would be helpful to all of us who work with gifted if some new insights could be gained along these lines. We hope that teachers everywhere will want to share their ideas with us.