Debate Over Ending Gifted Programs Sparks Concern for Low-Income Students

A growing number of schools are dismantling gifted and talented programs, opting instead for fully mixed classrooms to combat what officials label as inequity. Education scholar Michael Petrilli contends that this approach deprives gifted students—particularly those from poor families—of the challenge and enrichment they need. He cites a National Bureau of Economic Research study indicating that universal screening can boost enrollment of disadvantaged and minority students in gifted tracks, whereas teacher recommendations often reflect bias.

The policy shift began after Jeannie Oakes' 1985 critique of tracking, leading to the rise of "differentiated instruction" as a substitute. In New York City, former Mayor Bill de Blasio removed the gifted assessment, and current Mayor Zohran Mamdani proposes delaying gifted classes until third grade, prompting debate about how to serve high-achieving learners without widening gaps. Petrilli warns that without appropriate provisions, gifted children in impoverished neighborhoods may suffer the worst of both worlds.