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Old 14-February-2008, 01:40 PM
farmerjumperdon farmerjumperdon is offline
Order of Kilopi
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Wisconsin USA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Spock Jenkins View Post
We don't often find individuals, with so many opportunities presented to them, actually willing to use those advantages in a positive way. A credit to both her and her parents.
Define often. I think this is another perception issue; probably helped along by anecdotes, news stories, etc. As LJ mentions, there are lots of intelligent kids out there, many of them doing good things, regardless of financial advantage. I look around my daughter's school and see good kids and the things they do far outweighing the little miscreants; I'd say by at least 9 to 1.

Parent involvement, not financial status, seems to be the primary factor in success. Sure, the family with more money might be able to put more glitz on their kids projects; but that is not a criteria on which to measure a child's achievements or contributions.

As an aside, I just saw an article in the NYT - - not only are the number of kids taking advance placement exams on the rise; but that the percentage successfully passing them is also increasing.

So there is hope for the future. (Facetious last line).
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