Class Mixes for the Gifted: Homogeneous or Heterogeneous? John H. Holloway in his article, “Grouping Gifted Students,” reviews the research on the question of whether or not gifted students can receive an effective education in the regular classroom. He wants to know if the researchers agree with Lisa Benson, a classroom teacher, who says they don't. His reasoning is that gifted students feel frustrated especially if they have a high degree of creativity and resources are not available in the regular classroom. Holloway first examines the question from the perspective of homogeneous versus heterogeneous grouping. From this perspective, two researchers, Renuzulli and Mesler, discovered that the normal (heterogeneous) class could serve gifted students. Renuzulli suggested that teachers would need special training or access to specialists. The other four studies cited found that homogeneous grouping was better for gifted students. Burns and Mason found this to be true because “higher-ability classrooms received better instruction or had higher-ability teachers and benefited from high-ability classmates” (p. 89). In other research, Rogers concluded that gifted students need some form of ability grouping to broaden and extend their curriculum. Shields found that homogeneous grouping had a positive effect on gifted people's attitudes and how they perceived themselves as students and the school experience. Gentry, Rizza, and Owen's study expressed concern that there was little differentiation for gifted students in a diverse classroom. Research into the options of mixed-ability groups was subsequently reviewed by Holloway. Tomlinson's research states that gifted people can receive an effective education in a differentiated classroom. However, the question s...... middle of paper ...... is usually not asked. High school students tend to want to take the easy way out. I think if I had to make a decision at my school, based on research and my experiences, I would choose to have homogenous grouping for gifted students. My biggest challenge would be what criteria to use. Would it be skills, areas of talent, or some other criteria? Reference Holloway, J. (2003, October). Grouping of gifted students. Educational Leadership, 61, 89-91. Retrieved January 29, 2010, from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational_leadership/oct03/vol61/num02/_Grouping_Gifted_Students.aspxReferenceHolloway, J. (2003, October). Grouping of gifted students. Educational Leadership, 61, 89-91. Retrieved January 29, 2010, from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational_leadership/oct03/vol61/num02/_Grouping_Gifted_Students.aspx