Underachieving

Gifted Learners
By: Missy Rankin
Due: November 20th, 2015

Student performance that falls noticeably

short of potential, especially for young people
with high ability, is bewildering and perhaps
the most frustrating of all challenges both
teachers and parents face
Sally Reis
The National Commission on Excellence in
Education (1983) reported that half of gifted
children do not perform in school at a level
that is up to their abilities (pg. 287)

Discussion Questions:
1. What does it mean to be an underachieving gifted learner?
2. What are the characteristics of underachieving gifted

students?

3. What are some of the causes of underachieving gifted

learners?

4. What are some of the positive and negative effects of

underachievement?

5. What are some tips for reversing gifted student

underachievement?

What does it mean to be an

underachieving gifted learner?
Underachievement is typically defined as a

discrepancy between the childs school

performance and some index of his or her actual
ability; such as intelligence, achievement, or
creativity test scores or observational data (pg.
288)

An underachieving gifted child has the ability to

be a high achiever and make contributions to the

world, but they are not using their giftedness in
the correct way.

Underachieving students are often not productive

which leads to frustration for students, parents,

and teachers.

What are the characteristics of underachieving

gifted students?
Poor test performance
Achieving at or below grade level in one or more core subjects
Daily work frequently incomplete or poorly done
Superior comprehension and retention of concepts when interested
An exceptionally large repertoire of factual information
a persistent dissatisfaction with work accomplished (even in art)
Shows initiative in pursuing self-selected projects at home
Does not function comfortably or constructively in a group of any size
Tends to set unrealistic self expectations
Has an indifferent or negative attitude towards school
Maintains few friends; has difficulty in peer relationships
(and many more)

If 10 of more of the characteristics are applicable, parents may want to seek

further testing (pg. 294)

What are some of the causes of

underachieving gifted learners?
Some of the causes of

underachievement are:

Underachievement is a learned the

behavior (they are not born with it)

Underachievement is taught by
families, schools, or cultures
Underachievement can be caused by
cultural and economic disadvantage
Underachievement can be caused by
learning and emotional disabilities

What are some of the positive and negative

effects of underachievement?
Positive Effects of
Underachievement
Students who are not

successful inside school due

to underachievement are
often successful outside of
school (in extracurricular
activities such as sports,
hobbies, community events,
etc.)

Negative Effects of
Underachievement
Negative perception on

ones self (low self esteem)

Students feel as if they are

disappointing others
(parents, teachers, peers,
etc.)

Students have feeling of

helplessness

Students cannot see the

connection between effort

What are some tips for reversing gifted student

underachievement?
A- ally with the student privately about interests and concerns
L- listen to what the student says
L- learn about what the student is thinking
I- initiate opportunities for recognition of the students strengths
A- add experimental ideas for engaging curricular and extracurricular activities
N- nurture relationships with appropriate adult and peer role models
C- consequence reasonably, but firmly, if the student doesnt meet commitments
E- emphasize effort, independence, realistic expectations, and how strengths can be used
to cope with problems

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFUQiXADdkQ

Questions To Consider:
Think of a student you currently teach or taught in the past who exhibits

characteristics of an underachiever. What strategies have you used that

have been successful with that student? What strategies have not been
successful?

I believe many of the characteristics apply to students who are gifted and

not gifted. Do you see underachievers in your general education/on-level

classes? How can you tell they are underachieving?

Why do you think it is hard to identify a percentage of students who are

underachievers?

Works Cited:
Davis, Gary A., and Sylvia B. Rimm. "Underachievement:
Identification and Reversal." Education Of The Gifted and
Talented. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, . 287-322.
Print.