Silverman said this is not a function of economic advantage. Low socioeconomic and culturally diverse groups would suffer the most with the elimination of gifted programs, she said. These groups are totally dependent on public school systems while the economically advantaged have other alternatives. Yet, Silverman said schools are not prepared to let children progress at their own rate. Gifted children are discriminated against and punished for being guilty.
School is essentially an unsafe place for gifted children to be.
In this new millennium, Silverman said society must realize that gifted students are needed. But not against thwarting intellectual growth.