Unexpected Insights on a Pressing Dilemma

Otto Siegel • July 8, 2019

Genius Tip #489

A close up of an elephant 's foot with chains around it.

"...Extensive research shows that gifted students get poor grades or even drop out of school for a number of reasons, such as low motivation, boredom, dislike of school, social-emotional difficulties, and unstable family life.

For example, Joseph Renzulli and his colleague of The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented found the majority of both male and female gifted high schoolers dropped out because they didn't like school. A 2018 research review revealed that low or lack of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, self-regulation, and self-efficacy also account for the underachievement of gifted kids...."

After reading this masterfully written and researched article I had several strong feelings running through my education activist brain that boiled down to ONE:

How can we stop this catastrophic bleeding NOW?

There is an emergency call to parents to step in as CEO's (Chief Education Officer) and personalize education for their children - emotionally, intellectually and physically. Sounds like 'mission impossible'? Maybe in many situations. However, if one or two parents step up, find a way for their child to get the best out of education and include specific online resources - they might turn into trusted advisers for life, the highest level of parent-coaching..

Low intrinsic motivation and lack of engagement plagues many teams in small businesses and corporations as well. Motivated leaders can acquire behavior modeling tools to significantly impact the people side of business. What an exciting opportunity!

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