Schools attempt this sort of thing all the time, but on a small scale. When I was in school I suffered through an incredible array of tactics. I was held back in kindergarten... moved to the "gifted" school afterwards... then officially diagnosed with dyslexia around the 4th grade. Through middle school I was still in the gifted program, but I refused to work almost across the board. This lead to my placement in classes for students with disabilities, where I effectively became a second teacher in the room. These moves took place constantly, each placement clearly not being the right fit. The impact that it did have was humiliating. The gifted program saved my life, I really cannot imagine how screwed up the average "normal" students experience is, but being singled out and placed among students that could barely function was deeply painful for me.
Its taken me a very long time to undo these lessons. To learn that my ability was not confined to their definitions has taken years of success and self determination. I really cannot imagine just how many students are truly beaten by this, how many creative and intelligent minds are directed towards self doubt and self loathing. I do feel that being placed into the gifted program saved me from the public school experience, but I also know that the collateral damage is very real.
Its taken me a very long time to undo these lessons. To learn that my ability was not confined to their definitions has taken years of success and self determination. I really cannot imagine just how many students are truly beaten by this, how many creative and intelligent minds are directed towards self doubt and self loathing. I do feel that being placed into the gifted program saved me from the public school experience, but I also know that the collateral damage is very real.