ERIC Number: ED568749
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2015-Sep
Pages: 304
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-1-6125-0842-9
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Failing Our Brightest Kids: The Global Challenge of Educating High-Ability Students. Educational Innovations Series
Finn, Chester E., Jr.; Wright, Brandon L.
Harvard Education Press
In this provocative volume, Chester E. Finn, Jr., and Brandon L. Wright argue that, for decades, the United States has done too little to focus on educating students to achieve at high levels. The authors identify two core problems: First, compared to other countries, the United States does not produce enough high achievers. Second, students from disadvantaged backgrounds are severely underrepresented among those high achievers. The authors describe educating students to high levels of achievement as an issue of both equity and human capital: talented students deserve appropriate resources and attention, and the nation needs to develop these students' abilities to remain competitive in the international arena. The authors embark on a study of twelve countries and regions to address these issues, exploring the structures and practices that enable some countries to produce a higher proportion of high-achieving students than the United States and to more equitably represent disadvantaged students among their top scorers. Based on this research, the authors present a series of ambitious but pragmatic points that they believe should inform US policy in this area. This candid and engaging book takes a topic that is largely discussed behind closed doors and puts it squarely on the table for public debate.
Descriptors: Educational Innovation, High Achievement, Talent, Disadvantaged, Disproportionate Representation, Equal Education, Human Capital, Academically Gifted, Foreign Countries
Harvard Education Press. 8 Story Street First Floor, Cambridge, MA 02138. Tel: 888-437-1437; Tel: 617-495-3432; Fax: 978-348-1233; e-mail: hepg@harvard.edu; Web site: http://hepg.org/hep-home/home
Publication Type: Books; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Harvard University, Graduate School of Education
Identifiers - Location: Australia; Canada; Finland; Germany; Hungary; Japan; Singapore; South Korea; Switzerland; Taiwan; United Kingdom (England)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A