Jim Delisle, retired teacher and author of The Gifted Kids Survival Guide is one of my favorite experts in the field of gifted education. His writing is insightful and down to earth. His article about underachievement is no exception. Sometimes gifted kids don't meet their parents' and teachers' expectations. The article, Tips for Parents: Doing Poorly on Purpose: Underachievement and the Quest for Dignity, has some great advice for those struggling with issues of underachievement.
Another great source for solutions to underachievement is Dr. Del Siegle at U Conn. His workshops are wonderful, and he kindly provides a lot of his research and presentation materials online. For a longer read, check out his work on self efficacy.
A key point that they both make is that, "no one wants to be an underachiever". Accepting that idea is a very important step in the search for improving the lives of the people that we see as underachieving.
Another great source for solutions to underachievement is Dr. Del Siegle at U Conn. His workshops are wonderful, and he kindly provides a lot of his research and presentation materials online. For a longer read, check out his work on self efficacy.
A key point that they both make is that, "no one wants to be an underachiever". Accepting that idea is a very important step in the search for improving the lives of the people that we see as underachieving.