The Concept of "Talent Loss" in Educational Theory and Research

The purpose of this article is to review and revitalize the concept of “talent loss” in educational theory and research. It is our contention that the concept, while it has had a long and varied history among educational researchers, has recently surfaced and is providing useful insights into inefficiencies in educational systems, which are much to the detriment of individual students as well as societies. After we trace the history of the concept, we consider aspects of its current renewed use, in which we focus on its relevance for understanding social disadvantage among youth, gender differences, and the migration of talent between countries. We conclude by arguing that the concept of talent loss, in its various forms, should receive greater attention by educational scholars, as well as by developmental psychologists and youth researchers.