So is it safe to assume that if the environment is ideal a GT child should perform better than a non-GT child
I think it is safe to assume that all other things being equal, a gifted child will be able to perform higher level work than a normally developing child in the gifted child's area of giftedness. That does NOT mean that a gifted child will perform better at the
same work as a normally developing child. Often if the work is too easy, a gifted child will not feel motivated to complete it diligently. And a child may be gifted in some areas but not others, or have interests in some areas but not others.
Of course, many gifted children have other issues as well. I think the bottom line for teachers probably shouldn't be whether a child is technically "gifted," but rather what sort of curriculum and teaching will suit that child the best. After all, all kids are different.
