Probable presidential candidate Ross Perot said in 1983 that too many educational resources were spent on problem children and not enough on the gifted who would become "our future taxpayers," a newspaper said Saturday.
The Dallas Morning News, in a copyright story, quoted a 1983 paper Perot wrote while head of a group seeking reform of Texas schools.Perot wrote that schools should "concentrate attention on average, above-average, and gifted and talented students. They are our future taxpayers."
Perot aide Tom Luce said the comments do not reflect Perot's views, and he has always supported every child's right to learn.
Most of Perot's committee recommendations - including no-pass, no play, smaller class sizes, teacher testing, and a kindergarten program for disadvanted children - were enacted into law in 1984.