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Equity in High Potential Programs
Equity in High Potential Programs
By Irene Wilcox
By Irene Wilcox
Historically Lacking
Historically Lacking
Gifted and talented programs have been historically criticized for lacking in diversity. Oftentimes we see that students living in home environments that support and foster intellectual development come to school and show higher achievement levels than students who don’t. While we may not always see it applied at school, students of all income levels and racial backgrounds can have high cognitive thinking abilities and therefore be considered gifted. But due to societal and educational barriers, their ability may not match their academic achievement.
The inequities in gifted education are now being addressed by schools all over the country. The National Association for Gifted Children states that, “Ensuring the availability of rigorous coursework and gifted education programs and services at every grade level for all students who would benefit from the challenge, combined with equitable identification procedures, would reduce the underrepresentation of diverse learners in gifted education programs and put more learners from every population in a position to increase their achievement and maximize their potential.” (NAGC, 2021) Listed below are a few different ways that we can support equity in gifted and talented education and strengthen our own systems in order to give opportunities for advanced learning to all students.
Identification (How we find our Gifted or High Potential students):
Identification (How we find our Gifted or High Potential students):
Universal screening procedures (using the CogAT)
Use local norms when analysing achievement tests
Portfolio options
District and School-wide Emphasis on
District and School-wide Emphasis on
Targeted Enrichment Opportunities
Young Scholars GT Programs
Classroom emphasis on:
Classroom emphasis on:
Asset Based Educational practices
Higher Level Thinking activities for all students
Great thinkers/role models in marginalized groups
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