Underachievement in Gifted Education: Perspectives, Practices, and Possibilities

This book provides an opportunity for researchers, professionals, and practitioners working directly with gifted individuals to engage with and examine the concept of underachievement of highly capable and talented individuals from different perspectives. Chapters written by experts in gifted education from diverse backgrounds explore underachievement in principle, illuminate underachievement as a response to written and unwritten policy and practice, showcase ranges of intellectual capability outside of traditional academic subjects, shift deficit views of not meeting rigid expectations to honoring interests and cultural values of the individual, and provide suggested and proven practices and services as solutions to bridge the gaps in achievement and performance for gifted and talented students. Expertly blending theory with practice, Underachievement in Gifted Education is a must read for all practitioners, educators of gifted individuals, and researchers seeking more opportunities to help students align how they choose to exhibit their talent and efforts with external and internal expectations, personal interests, and cultural values to reach their maximum potential.