In early childhood and through the elementary school years, gifted boys and girls are equal in number. In adolescence, however, a marked turnaround occurs. At around age twelve gifted boys outnumber gifted girls, and by adulthood there are far more gifted men than gifted women. Their academic achievement and other talents falter, and their gifts may become obscured on the way to womanhood. Research suggests that several factors converge to produce barriers to the achievement of gifted girls, causing the declining numbers of identifiable gifted girls as they grow up.
Girls start school scoring ahead of boys and leave scoring behind.
The identification of gifted children often begins in third grade, a system based on the belief that enrichment programs are best instituted at this age. This practice, however, penalizes young gifted girls who are often outstanding in early childhood. They talk, read, and count earlier than boys, and in the preschool years they score higher than boys on IQ tests. Girls are ready for formal schooling at an earlier age and they earn higher grades than boys in elementary school. But by middle school the balance is reversed.