I think US gets the gifted/advanced school programs wrong: instead of selecting students from ‘regular’ classes according to some, arbitrary, method, the right thing to do would be to start from the most advanced and challenging program for all (or, at least, for all who desires), then, gradually, move students who can’t keep up with the program to easier levels, with slower pace, leaving the option of going back up anytime (after all, it’s their choice, if they want to get bad grades). This will ensure all kids get the chance to shine, the average education level and expected standard will be higher (US regular school program is ridiculously retarded, that’s why we keep importing engineers and scientists from abroad), in addition, with this approach, the students will strive not to be considered “less smart” and will try to keep up with the “new normal” standard.