What should be assessed to determine if a gifted child is underachieving academically?

To effectively determine if a gifted child is underachieving academically, assessing the child's academic performance is essential. This involves examining how well the child is achieving in their schoolwork relative to their potential. Academic ability refers to the innate capacity to learn or perform in academic tasks, but performance reflects actual accomplishments like grades, test scores, and engagement in the classroom.

Underachievement becomes apparent when a gifted child's performance does not match their high potential or ability. For instance, a child may have a high IQ or advanced cognitive skills but may not demonstrate that level of capability in their schoolwork. This discrepancy highlights the importance of evaluating academic performance specifically, as it provides direct insight into whether the child is meeting, exceeding, or falling short of their expected achievement levels.

While factors such as psychological development and IQ could contribute to understanding a child's capabilities, they do not provide the direct evidence of underachievement that academic performance does. Focusing on performance allows educators and parents to identify support strategies that can help the child reach their full potential.