Doing poorly on purpose

Underachievement and the quest for dignity

Most of the “antidotes” for reversing academic underachievement in able adolescents are punitive and disrespectful. It is no surprise, then, that they are also ineffective and emotionally debilitating. This session provides a new look at “underachievement” from the eye of the students who wear this label. A series of school-based suggestions and solutions will be offered, each one bearing a similar foundation: preserving the dignity of students who choose to perform poorly on purpose.

Dr. James (Jim) Delisle has taught gifted children and those who work on their behalf for more than 39 years.  Jim retired from Kent State University in 2008 after 25 years of service there as a Distinguished Professor of special education.  For the past five years, Jim has worked part-time with highly-gifted 9th and 10th graders at the Scholars' Academy in Conway, South Carolina. He is the author of more than 250 articles and 19 books.