I’ve
always been a critic of one-size-fits-all government.
There
are few places where this is more inappropriate than education.
Each
child is different.
And,
if we offer only a cookie cutter, assembly line education, it will hurt all
students.
Whether
we’re talking about students with gifts and talents or those with a learning
disability, students with unique learning needs must have teachers trained to
address their way of learning.
It
may seem like common sense to say that students benefit when their education is
tailored to their needs.
Any
parent can tell you that.
You
can’t expect all students to learn at the same speed and depth in every subject.
Unfortunately,
those like outgoing New York Mayor De Blasio want to scrap programs for gifted
students.
Citing
the fact that white and Asian students were over-performing compared to
students from other ethnic categories, De Blasio tried to end the city’s
program.
His
focus on maintaining equality of outcomes by preventing any students from
excelling is misguided.
It
would have the perverse effect of reducing opportunity for the very students
who need it most, including historically disadvantaged minority groups.
Wealthy
families can afford to put their kids in private school or pay for services
outside of school.
It
is those students who aren’t as well-off who need access to services to address
their unique learning needs.
Families
from less advantaged backgrounds are not helped by limiting opportunity for all
students in public schools.
They
are the ones who have the most to lose when the public schools cancel needed
services.
Thankfully,
the incoming mayor recognized the importance of gifted and talented programming
and pledged to keep it.
I
introduced the TALENT Act to address
these unique needs of gifted and talented students and ensure that they don’t
slip through the cracks.
Thankfully,
much of this bill was included in Every
Child Achieves in 2015.
I’m
also a strong supporter of Javits Gifted and Talented Education.
This
is the only dedicated federal program to develop and help teachers implement
teaching methods that meet the needs of gifted students.
And
it is targeted specifically at disadvantaged gifted students.
Thankfully,
Iowa is a leader in this area.
Iowa
law requires gifted education services for kids who need to be challenged.
This
applies to all students, whether or not they can afford private school.
Iowa
has recognized that we should aim to challenge kids with gifts and talents and
give them the resources they need to excel.
We
should help all students achieve their potential, not try in vain to find one
identical education for every kid.
