Having gone through it and not having the most cooperative child, I don't blame parents. When I was playing a lot of tennis, I wanted to play with people better than me, it challenged me and made me a better player.
If a child of 130 IQ gets one of those spots and gets to go to school with kids 140-160, he/she may get reallly motivated, expand their own IQ and thinking skils and have a great outcome. They could also get discouraged, but I think that is parenting skills more than the school environment.
Just like if you wanted your kid to be a competitive figure skater. Your child showed amazing natural talent but you didn't have the tens of thousands of dollars each year to spend on lessons, skates etc. The kid next door was a good skater, the mom was obsessed and able to spend the money. That kid went to the Olympics. Maybe didn't get a medal, but she got to go through hard work, determination and a fat wallet. Not a level playing field on natural talent but this is America and why there isn't a health care bill.
The level of prepping and early training is nothing compared to what China is doing. They have 3.5 times the population. Those kids will be coming here for opportunities.
I am happy that I have a smart, talented kid but am also aware that gets her very little without hard work and options. And we try and show her what hard work gets you. Like Disney World for 3 years, Hawaii this Feb. Europe in a few weeks, princess nightgowns and a puppy that I now walk, hence am on the board very little. I had to train a puppy -- in an apt. So I plan playdates and family dinner parties, but piano practice has to be done. I hope I am getting it right. But that is my plan.
Ren
