ABSTRACT

Teachers lament the students in their classes “who could do better.” Parents agonize over the average or below-average grades their gifted children receive. In some cases, students are aware they are performing below expectations; in other cases, they view their performance as “just fine.” The underachievement of gifted students is both puzzling and frustrating. If gifted students fail to realize their potential, the waste of talent not only deprives society of potential contributions, but also represents a personal loss of self-fulfillment for the underachieving individual.