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Gifted 101

Gifted 101

 

Keys to meeting learning & developmental needs

Gifted 101 serves as a starting point for parents, educators and community members to address key questions about gifted youth and meeting their needs, whether academic or socio-emotional, at home and at school:

  1. Identification: How do I know?
  2. Learning Needs: What should I know?
  3. Finding Support: Where can I go?
  4. Advocate Conversations: What approach should I take?
  5. Research and Best Practice: Where should I look?
    • Reading Material and Curriculum Reference

Our aim is to put you in touch with reputable sources of information and expert guidance. Need more in-depth? We have plenty of resources for you to explore on focused topics.

Identification: How do I know?

While some commonalities exist across giftedness, one size does not fit all. Gifted learners exhibit different characteristics, traits, and ways to express their giftedness. Various issues must be considered for identification. – NAGC on Gifted Identification

Learning Needs: What should I know?

The notion that age equates to grade is out of tune with what we know about individual differences. Research reveals that gifted students are more academically and emotionally advanced than their typical age-mates. Therefore, it makes more sense to think about readiness, rather than age, as the main determinant for grade placement. – Acceleration Institute

Finding Support: Where can I go?

Advocate Conversations: What approach should I take?

One of the keys to effective advocacy is having the confidence to make your case.  You don’t have to be an expert to be an effective advocate, but it is important to have some basic facts.  – NAGC

  • Why Aren’t You Advocating for your Gifted Child? by Dr. Gail Post, Ph.D.
  • Parent Advocacy Model — Are My Child’s Needs Being Met? by Heidi Williams via STRETCH
  • OAGC Parent Day Round Table: Advocacy via Race to the Middle
  • Harvard Family Research Project | Parent-Teacher Conference Tip Sheets for Principals, Teachers and Parents (.pdf)
  • Rethinking Difficult Parents by Dr. Allen Mendler, Ph.D. via Edutopia
  • NAGC | Advocacy Toolkit
  • NAGC | A Break in Communication: When an Advocate is Needed (.pdf)
  • MCGT makes gifted advocate services available for members as you navigate school decisions and conversations

Research and Best Practices: Where should I look?

Reading and Curriculum Reference