Why K-12 Education Is Broken for High Achieving Kids

Hoven argues that U.S. education policy often prioritizes closing achievement gaps over helping each student reach their potential. He points to San Francisco’s limits on above-grade-level instruction and the fight over eighth-grade algebra as examples of reducing opportunities for advanced students. He says this approach can leave students bored and their learning needs unmet.

Hoven says policymakers often judge schools by how much they close gaps between high and struggling achievers. He argues that families with money can turn to tutors, private schools, or after-school programs, while families who rely on public schools have fewer alternatives. He encourages parents to advocate for their children and says that can mean finding a different school or teaching at home.

Hoven describes learning math independently in school, then explains Mentava’s goal of letting children study academics at their own pace while keeping school’s childcare and social roles. During the pandemic, he used phonics software and DreamBox with his children, including a two-year-old who wanted to join in. Mentava focuses first on reading, using phonics, games, and animated farm animals to keep young learners engaged; a parent reported that a three-year-old reached roughly mid-first-grade reading level in three months, which Hoven calls an outlier.

Hoven distinguishes reading, which relies heavily on learning sounds and building fluency, from math, where software must check whether a child understands concepts or has only memorized answers. He says games can help children move from external rewards toward the satisfaction of making progress, while recognizing the responsibility involved in using engagement techniques. He sees AI as a coach that can help a confused student return to a carefully designed learning path.

Hoven argues that colleges often act as costly talent screeners because K–12 schools do little to help students distinguish themselves. He suggests that projects, internships, and useful work can demonstrate ability earlier than a degree, and says he does not want his children to fixate on grades or elite admissions. His advice to parents is to advocate for their children while keeping academics balanced with play and time with friends.