Dumbing Down America

<p>At a time when the U.S. education system consistently lags behind its international peers, <i>Dumbing Down America</i> shows exactly why America can't keep up by providing a critical look at the nation's schools through the eyes of the children whose minds are languishing in countless classrooms. Filled with specific examples of how gifted children are being shortchanged by a nation that believes smart kids will succeed on their own, <i>Dumbing Down America</i> packs a powerful message: If we want our nation to prosper, we must pay attention to its most intelligent youth. With more than 35 years of experience working with and for gifted children, author James R. Delisle provides a template of what can and must happen in America's schools if they are to fulfill their mission of educating every child to the fullest potential. <i>Dumbing Down America</i> is a must-read for any individual who believes that the unfulfilled promises to gifted children must begin to be met in America's schools today, not someday.</p> PREFACE Three Reasons to Care CHAPTER 1 In the Beginning CHAPTER 2 The Upsides CHAPTER 3 The Battle of Equity Over Excellence CHAPTER 4 Is Giftedness Something You Do or Someone You Are CHAPTER 5 Instructional Panaceas That Aren’t CHAPTER 6 Legislative Absurdity . . . and the Organizations That Try to Rein It In CHAPTER 7 What Next CHAPTER 8 The Big Picture: Fitting Gifted Child Education into the Broader Educational Landscape That’s All, Folks References About the Author Index