The Overlooked Potential of Capable Students
It was like this 35 years ago when I began kindergarten in a “top” public school, and it’s still like this today:
Many learners already perform above grade level
Schools have little incentive to provide accelerated curriculum, so they don’t
“Gifted and talented” identification is capricious
“Gifted and talented” programs are extremely uneven
Parental concerns about acceleration are dismissed
Student boredom, wasted student potential, wasted teacher time … these ill effects don’t appear in official indicators of how schools and students are performing.
Instead, schools happily take the credit for students who are performing above grade level - even if those students are miserable or actually underperforming according to their own capabilities.
Welcome to Above Grade Level
I’m Pamela Hobart, aka @gtmom.
Before I found myself raising and educating children here in Austin, Texas, I studied and taught philosophy and critical thinking, including doctoral work in the philosophy of education at Teachers College, Columbia University.
Before that, I was just another gifted kid cruising through courses for years without exerting any effort… right until I hit the wall and began getting bad grades instead.
I eventually discovered philosophy and developed some study skills, a.k.a. “turned out fine.”
But “gifted kid” humor abounds for a reason: schools systemically underserve the capable, badly wasting their time and even actively thwarting students who attempt to work ahead.
What You'll Find At Above Grade Level
Each week, I share things like:
Strategies for identifying and addressing advanced learning needs
Analysis of current educational research and its practical applications
Reviews of educational tools and apps that accelerate learning
Guidance for working with schools to optimize your child's education
Insights from both academic research and real-world parenting experience
While my work as @gtmom and with Above Grade Level is sponsored by GT School, this newsletter maintains editorial independence and serves all parents interested in advanced learning.
Academic Acceleration Matters
Too often, parents hear "your child is doing fine" and accept it without question.
But "fine" isn't enough when your child has the potential for genuine excellence.
It’s my great honor to help parents recognize and nurture their children's full academic potential. Join me weekly as we explore how to create better, faster, and more effective learning experiences for our academically capable children.
