I just opened our local weekly newspaper and found on the front page an

article about gifted education in various schools in our area. It started

with the following description, which I think is pretty good:

"Envision a turbo-charged race car driving up a hill on a two-lane highway

behind a large, overloaded truck. As much as it may want to 'behave' by

going at the same pace as the truck, it isn't at all easy. And what kind

of strain is being put on the engine? How long can this scenario go on

before permanent damage is done to the engine? Will it ever be the same?

Bright children can often become those very race cars when they are not

challenged by the curriculum at their grade level. They strain at the

limitations that are placed on their abilities, and often become

frustrated and even underachievers in school."

["Grand Rapids Advance", April 3, 2001]