Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy District: "Don't confuse us with the facts"

The federal laws mentioned by Bostonian are intended to assist those with learning difficulties reach higher, closing performance/achievement/excellence gaps. Unfortunately some find that closing gaps is more easily attained by capping growth at the top, and schools are measured by their success in closing gaps. Therefore some believe the federal law is driving the pressure to attain equal outcomes. Some believe that having local control provides more opportunity to serve the needs of the local population. The supreme law of the United States is the Constitution, in which "We, the people" specified which powers are granted to the federal government (consisting of 3 branches: Executive, Legislative (bicameral/bipartisan), and Judicial) with all other powers reserved for States and individuals. It has been noted that powers over education were not granted to the federal government by the Constitution, yet a federal Department of Education was created some 35 years ago. The point of which is to say that having or not having a federal law may or may not help gifted kids receive appropriate placement and pacing based on their ability and readiness. Unfortunately, this may be occurring on a widespread basis.