The IQ caste and gifted education

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine some of the implicit social and political assumptions that underlie The Bell Curve and to discuss the social implications of its authors’ recommendations to increase funding allocation to gifted and talented young people. Richard Herrnstein and Charles Murray suggest that an IQ caste system is developing in our country and that there is increasing stratification between the “IQ haves” and the “IQ have nots.” Based on an examination of their construct from a race and ethnicity, sex and gender perspective, it is suggested that the authors’ obscure the social construction of reality in their schema. Finally, further collaboration is needed between sociologists and gifted educators in creating a social environment in which gifted children's needs are met.