There are a lot of good kids out there. However we have for far too long let kids believe that winning was not important and despite effort or lack therof everyone was entitled to a trophy irrespective of talent or effort. It is one factor IMHO that led to dumbing down in schools. My heart will always bleed for the disadvantage but I don't believe that gifted students should be ignored as these are the kids most likely to make the major advances in science, etc.

We know from experiences that life is not fair and all the attempts at equalizing life lessons isn't going to work . Some day we all have to face the pied piper. Just look at the number of parents coddling their kids right up to and including college..GEEEZ