I would think everyone could agree that nature (genetics) and nurture (effort) play a role. I think the question is to what degree / balance. It is easy for those in positions of relative privilege to point to genetics as the primary factor and consequently not agree with investing more in education in my opinion. However I have not read the research on this area so maybe I am wrong and genetics really is the major factor.
I disagree with this completely. I think that a unity horse of many people, especially privileged people is that education is important. Just because I don't think that everyone is destined to be the next Einstein, doesn't mean that education isn't important on the personal and societal level.
The old school thought is that it is fixed, but this has been largely disproven. Obviously, you are not going to turn a really unintelligent person into a genius, but there is a lot of evidence IQ can be manipulated. I just read a book that had a lot about studies that prove this, "How Children Succeed".
agreed. I find this fascinating. I didn't realize most people thought it was fixed. I never thought it was fixed before I became an educator but after becoming one my thoughts were reaffirmed. I couldn't do my job if I thought it was fixed.
I would think everyone could agree that nature (genetics) and nurture (effort) play a role. I think the question is to what degree / balance. It is easy for those in positions of relative privilege to point to genetics as the primary factor and consequently not agree with investing more in education in my opinion. However I have not read the research on this area so maybe I am wrong and genetics really is the major factor.
I don't think anyone necessarily wants to defund education with a fixed mindset but I do think it allows those who want one, a reason to think they are superior than those they find less intelligent. And because there is such a high correlation between school performance and socioeconomic status, race, etc. I think many use that plus a fixed mindset to justify classism, racism. I mean, this is the very basis of eugenics.