> Otherwise she would just skate through elementary school, never being forced to persevere or really apply herself.

This really resonates. I rarely felt challenged until around high school when I accidentally tested my way into some advanced classes taught by teachers who demanded much more. It felt awful and my self esteem was shot, but I was grateful in the end. I had the same issues applying myself again in college, but for the opposite reason.

Nobody should have to stumble through school like that.

I do think it's important to diversify the experience of perseverance though. Math isn't everything.