Special Populations

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Underachieving Gifted Students

Some Reasons for Underachievement

1. medical
2. physical
3. perfectionism
4. a desire to fit in
5. emotional status
6. low self-esteem
7. pressure to conform
8. lack of autonomy

Characteristics of Underachieving Gifted Students

Aggressive
1. Stubborn refusal to comply with requests
2. Attention seeking
3. Disruption of others
4. Continual rejection of set work
5. Absence of self-direction in decision-making
6. Continual alienation of peers

Withdrawn
7. lack of communication
8. fantasy world
9. working alone
10. little in-class work undertaken
11. little attempt made to justify behavior

Strategies

1. Assist student in developing control of his/her own learning.
2. Provide opportunities for the student to perform by increased stimulation and complexity, especially in an area of ability/interest.
3. Encourage positive relationships.
4. Value the students' achievements.
5. Be available when help is needed; be sure to have conferences periodically about personal as well as academic matters.

Adapted from Clark (1988): Growing Up Gifted and Department of Education, Western Australia