Thread by @Saintonge235

Long thread by Mr. Harriot, unrolled at threadreaderapp.com/thread/1446514….

His basic argument is that Gifted & Talented programs are #RACIST!!! and show class privilege, and reflect nothing but the income of the parents.

This happens to be untrue.

https://twitter.com/michaelharriot/status/1446514749496348673

His same arguments, when he has them, are made in relation to IQ tests, and they have been shot down again and again. E.g., the racial differences in the IQ distribution remain when you use tests without language, like progressive matrices. Or adjust for parental income.

He makes the elementary logical fallacy of imputing anti-black racism to teachers for watching black kids more closely for misbehavior, when the reverse may be true: a demonstrated history of misbehavior results in greater surveillance.

He cherry picks studies whose results he likes, and ignores the ones whose results he dislikes, such as the ones indicating that no intervention or environmental change has any lasting effect on scholastic achievement or IQ.

On average, black, Latino, and American Indian students don't achieve as much in schools as whites and Asians. This is a reality demonstrated again and again, despite huge efforts to obfuscate or alter it.

Why? Pick your own preferred answer. Now tell me, what would serve to DISPROVE it?

Probably nothing because of the high emotions involved. But emotional rejection of reality won't change the facts.

BTW, if the results DID reflect nothing but class background, so what? Some kids do learn much more quickly and easily than others. Requiring them to sit in the same classes as those who learn slowly and laboriously benefits neither group.

And ascribing group differences in outcomes to #RACISM!!! doesn't benefit the groups involved either. In fact, it makes things worse for both.

@threadreaderapp unroll please