You can help the weakest links without tearing down the most gifted.
it is not a teardown we are talking about. But rather giving attention. Give certain students more attention and that takes away equal attention from everyone else.
if you gave attention to two kids, one was smart and quick, and the other was slow and stiff, who would you help more?
You tear them down by not providing the education they deserve. You tear them down by forcing them into classes with dumb kids. You tear them down by forcing them into classes with trouble maker kids.
Nobody is getting more or less attention and nobody is advocating for that.
I would help both kids equally by having two teachers. One who could help the smart kids and one who could help the less intelligent kid. This isn't an either or situation.