Should this be legal ?

Question

Completing that much education at a young age and graduating college at TWELVE? I feel like there should be some regulation on this

Accepted Answer

Exactly what do you suggest? Making it illegal for children to learn at their own level? 
Kids like this are gifted intellectually and forcing them to restrict their learning ( if that’s what you’re insinuating) because they’re excelling at a faster pace than their peers would benefit them how? 
If the child is happy, I don’t see an issue with allowing them to reach their full potential educationally in a time line that suits their intelligence and capabilities. Most times children like this would struggle in school if they were forced to learn at the same level as children their age from straight boredom. 
As long as nobody is forcing the child into studying against their will to reach this outcome, I don’t think it’s a problem.

Answer

I have a son who has ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and is highly gifted. He’s 9 years old has been tested for reading and math by a child development psychologist his reading and understanding is at entry level college and math he just tested out of geometry. I don’t push him to do anything but to just be himself. Some children advance quicker then others and that’s ok we shouldn’t hinder their growth and mental development at a young age just because it doesn’t fit the social norm. When I was in high school I had all my credits finished by age 14 but because back then I wasn’t allowed to graduate till 17 (im a June child in the states). I was ready to move ahead but I was held back from my natural progression due to parameters set by the board of education.

Answer

Why is this a problem? Why would we ever restrict access to higher level learning? Illegal?! That would be devastating to the child, what’s the logic here?

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I think this is fine as long as it's done on the child's initiative. For example, my nephew is 8 and is extremely good with numbers, so he constantly comes up with new and difficult problems to solve because he gets bored. I don't see why he shouldn't be allowed to progress at something he enjoys. If my sister pushed him to do it, now that is a different story and I would see that as abusive.

Answer

I find the comment "it just takes dedication" questionable, but I also feel like we actually don't do enough to give socially healthier avenues of pursuing on-level academics for profoundly gifted students. For every kid like this, there are at least 3 or 4 others in his community that probably could have been age-level academic peers except the schools or the parents all felt staying with their age group was a priority.  As it is, it had to be a little lonely to experience school this way.  It is a difficult choice for parents and there is still a very strong stigma against radical academic advancement, but if we could actually lay out a path for students like this I think it would actually be a better experience. 
I have a kid that is skipping kindergarten and I am already getting all sorts of negative feedback.  And really, if academics were the only consideration, he should definitely skip further ahead.

Answer

Extremely gifted kids crave knowledge and should be able to access that and blossom at their own pace which is faster than other kids. What is the issue ? The world could certainly use more educated people

Answer

Why shouldn’t this be legal? If this is how he thrives- let him thrive. A child doing calculus at 5 isn’t going to be happy or challenged in a regular paced academic environment and kindergarten. 
People who want to put regulations on everyone and everything never seem to think about what’s actually best for the people involved.

Answer

I think it’s fine. It’s not like just any child can do that. He is obviously extremely gifted and intelligent. He is a statistical outlier and I can’t imagine he would get that far if he didn’t have a passion for learning. 
I’m sure there is significant pressure on him, but the same can be said for a more average child who struggles with school.
I would hope he has access to counseling. Colleges typically have free counseling and I’m sure he had special access to counseling if needed given his age and special circumstances.

Answer

What's the problem? It's not as though they just sent a 12 year old off to university like he was an adult. If he's smart enough to do the coursework then more power to him.

Answer

Regulate what?? He’s smart he did the work just like anybody else.. he earned his degree.. they didn’t just give it to him.. what do you think they should do?? Hold him back and make him do school at a regular level?? Studies have shown that brilliant kids have a harder time in school when they aren’t being challenged.. some even start acting out because they are simply bored.. i love to see genius kids graduate college.. good for them.. they did the work so it’s well earned imo

Should this be legal ?

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