Our children are under enormous pressure to perform in school based on predetermined benchmarks or goals. The comparison of a child with the majority of his or her peers seems a necessary evil in the school system – to determine success or failure. Students are considered successful when their grades and performance are on the same level or above that of their contemporaries. It would be wonderful if there was more wiggle room and children could work at their own pace, some slower and some faster, but in most school settings this is seldom possible. Teachers must give grade students based on majority performance. Those who fall short of these established guidelines are labeled slow learners or learning disabled. Thousands of parents each year are told their child has a learning problem or disability; although, the majority of these children will test normal or above normal on IQ tests.

Read the rest of this entry »