Who+are+these+students?

//Underachieving gifted students are different from achieving gifted students in personal and family relationships, as well as in self-image and motivation (Rimm and Lowe 1988).//

Common Descriptors for Underachieving Gifted Students • **low levels of self-confidence** • **an inability to persevere** • **a lack of goals** • **feelings of inferiority**

Key things to note prior to working with the gifted underachiever:
 * 1) Often intrinsically motivated -- External motivators such as grades and rewards will not suffice
 * 2) Not challenged enough at an early age
 * 3) Without counseling, may not overcome internal locus of control issues

The gifted underachiever may experience **academic paralysis** due to a fear of failure. Their identity is strongly tied to their performance; a fear of disappointing their family or a fear of failure may impede the ability to act. The mindset is "why risk failure." Often this is the result of excessive praise at home where they believe, often incorrectly, they will not be valued if they do not live up to the high expectations of others.

**Constructive Failure:** These students need to gradually learn that failure is not fatal. They must survive mistakes to learn that success is a process. Scafolding of new material in areas of non-interest must be carefully guided.

These students need to recognize their learning environment is a safety net -- a safe place to fall or fail.

These students characteristically set lofty unrealistic goals which they have no capability of reaching. This seems to complete the vicious cycle of academic paralysis.
 * Unrealistic Expectations and Goals: **