Why is it that America’s public schools invest more than $8 billion a year in special education but no more than $800 million to maximize the potential of our most gifted students?

I’ve been asking that question for weeks, ever since reading these figures in an intriguing Time magazine cover story, “Are We Failing Our Geniuses?”

Three million or so students in K-12 schools are considered academically gifted, estimates the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC). Of those, Time writes that 62,000 students have an IQ of 145 or higher -- what many would consider highly to profoundly gifted.

Exploring the NAGC website -- and other articles and research available online -- it appears too few of our schools truly know how to maximize the potential of their smartest students. What’s more, it appears federal and state spending on gifted education has been on the decline in recent years.

All of this raises some interesting questions about the America’s priorities. Certainly we need to give special education every opportunity to grow to their full potential. But aren’t our smartest kids entitled to the same opportunity?

As Congress works on the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act, perhaps it’s time policymakers put some attention on the education of our highest-achieving kids. After all, we are worried about the nation’s ability to compete globally in the 21st century.

At least, we say we are.

Del Stover, Senior Editor