Are special provisions undemocratic?
No. Special provisions for children with mental or physical disabilities are not considered undemocratic. Special provisions for student with outstanding athletic abilities (i.e., the football team) are not considered undemocratic. Why should special provisions for children with outstanding mental abilities be undemocratic? In the words of Thomas Jefferson, “There is nothing more unequal than the equal treatment of unequal people.” “Equal education is the foundation of the right to be a human being…This does not mean than any gifted child or any child having a greater capability to learn may or shall be deprived of his or her opportunity of learning more. It does mean that every child shall have the equal opportunity to learn to the best of his or her ability. That opportunity must be made available to all on equal terms.” – Judge Alfred Gitelson, County of Los Angeles, Superior Court Case 822854 “Whatever equal opportunity means it must mean an opportunity for each person to rise to
