[pessimizer]

It's not odd to me at all. The most "academically inclined" (although I don't think that's just one type of person) are people who have the ability to help themselves with very little advice from others. We shouldn't be going out of our way to provide anything for them; we should provide all levels of materials for everyone. It's the stupid people who need to be coaxed and trained to use them, whereas for the smart people, it's enough to make them available and give them advice when they ask.

Teachers like gifted kids because they'll be successful no matter what they do, and the teachers can test out all of their dingbat social and pedagogical theories with no consequences. They can start with elite kids, finish with elite kids, yet somehow take the credit. Not impressed. Make dumb kids smart, then I'm impressed. You might even be holding back the smart kids, but they're probably smart enough to see through you and do well anyway.

That being said, there are some people who are motivated to learn entirely by the desire to impress teachers and other authority figures. They need attention to develop. However, I do not think that most people are like this, and I honestly think those people should be in therapy.