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In high school, this student ran into numerous problems with his teachers. His homework was turned in late, or never. He skipped many, many classes. Worst of all, he used up all of his high school's computer time. And as we know, he was a college dropout.
Bill Gates.
I teach urban, at-risk students, and I know to a certainty exactly how hard the motivated students among them fight to get an education. Those students overcome long, long odds. They well deserve all the breaks they get.
There are gifted students in all strata of society. Are we identifying them properly, and giving them the opportunites they need to succeed?
I'm not convinced.
The Texas 10% law is well-meaning, but I find it wanting. Grades aren't everything. A 4.0 student pleased every teacher she ever had. A 3.8 student may have butted heads with someone on the faculty...who was this student, and why did it happen? Do we even care anymore? Do we value originality, or do we all just have to say, "Moo!" and fit in with the rest of the herd?
*in an ornery mood tonight*
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