4.7.4 Long-term effects of grade skipping – spanning 70 years
In 2012, adults born between 1917-1987 were asked about their experiences with grade skipping. There were few problems concerning achievement, though a third of the children were bored again after skipping. Slightly more boys than girls had social problems. This could be improved by being good at sports. A few more boys than girls profited socially from skipping. With very few exceptions they passed the German equivalent of the A-levels and advanced in their studies. In the end, 90% of the women and almost 80% of the men would skip again if circumstances were the same.
Author(s):
Annette Heinbokel
annette.heinbokel@swbmail.de
German Association for the Gifted Child - DGhK
Germany
As a teacher, Annette Heinbokel has been an advocate of gifted education since the mid-70s. She has been a German delegate to the WCGTC since 1977 (with short interruptions). She was the driving force behind the founding of the German Association for the Gifted Child in 1978 and has served on its executive committee twice. Her PhD on grade skipping influenced the change of law in her state and influenced the attitude towards acceleration in Germany. She has conducted several studies on grade skipping, the latest (Skipping a grade – or I would have become fipsy) being published in 2016.