Equity and Access to Gifted Education
Minority students including African Americans and Hispanics; ELL (English Language Learners); as well as low SES (socio-economic status) students are often left out of gifted programs. Today, we also need to be aware of bias against LGBTQ students, children of military personnel, homeless, and most twice-exceptional students.
Barriers to gifted education include school district policies that fail to recognize and value cultural diversity. Presumptions about low-income and minority students are given too much credence by decision-makers. Twice/thrice-exceptional students may not be achieving at acceptable levels and thus barred from participation in gifted programs. Schools tend to focus on disabilities which may be masking abilities.
The identification process can affect equity. Identification of giftedness is too often based on outdated information or research that doesn’t take into account cultural diversity and the needs of ELL students. Parents and students need to be better informed by school districts about the benefits and opportunities afforded by participation in gifted programs.
Join TAGT for Gifted Plus Equity Conference
There are laws already in place to change this situation. Gifted education has been successfully argued under civil rights legislation. Also, twice-exceptional students are often covered by special education regulations. The legality of participation in gifted education programs is often dependent on state laws and regulation. Parents and teachers should check with state or national gifted organizations for laws applying to their particular state or country.
Parents can make a difference in their school district. They are passionate about the education of their children. Parents of gifted children should learn the lessons provided by parents of special needs children who took their battles to the courts. Parenting a gifted child is hard work – parents should become knowledgeable about state regulations regarding gifted education and who their state congressional representatives are as well as their child’s school’s written gifted policies. Parents also need to learn the ‘chain of command’ in their school district. Start with the child’s teacher, then administrator; and if necessary, school board.
There are practical steps can educators and policy makers can take to increase equity in gifted programs. These include seeing possibilities rather than limitations, seeking solutions rather than dwelling on obstacles, emphasizing student’s strengths over weaknesses, and improving communications with parents. Policy makers and administrators need to provide cultural sensitivity training for all educators, high quality course offerings that are culturally sensitive and ELL compliant, and expand access to rigorous curriculum. Administrators should provide PD in gifted education which would aid in achieving accurate identification, increase out of school opportunities for most at-risk students and engage community support for expanded opportunities. A transcript of this chat can be found at Wakelet.
Global #gtchat Powered by the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented is a weekly chat on Twitter. Join us Thursdays at 8E/7C/6M/5P in the U.S. and Fridays at Noon NZST/10 AM AEST/1 AM UK to discuss current topics in the gifted community and meet experts in the field. Transcripts of our weekly chats can be found at Wakelet. Our Facebook Page provides information on the chat and news and information regarding the gifted community. Also, checkout our Pinterest Page and Playlist on YouTube.
About the author: Lisa Conrad is the Moderator of Global #gtchat Powered by TAGT and Social Media Manager of the Global #gtchat Community. She is a longtime advocate for gifted children and also blogs at Gifted Parenting Support. Lisa can be contacted at: gtchatmod@gmail.com
Links:
Gifted Cubed Printable Color Brochure
Perspectives on Equity in Gifted Education (pdf)
Bright, Talented, & Black: A Guide for Families of African American Gifted Learners (Amazon)
The Rare District That Recognizes Gifted Latino Students
NY: White Plains Schools Focus on Increasing Diversity in Advanced Courses after Fed Investigation
Access and Equity through Career and Technical Education
Report Shows Widespread Lack of Support for High-Ability, Low-Income Students in U.S.
County Aims to Break Down Racial Barriers to Gifted Classes
Equal Talents, Unequal Opportunities 2nd Addition (pdf)
Norwalk Schools Reveal Gifted Program Redesign
What to Do About a Generation of ‘Lost Einsteins’
A New Majority Low Income Students Now a Majority In the Nation’s Public Schools (pdf)
Universal Screening in Gifted and Talented Identification: Implementation and Overcoming Challenges
5 Ways to Help Bright Low-Income Students to Excel
Report from National Center for Research on Gifted Education (pdf – PP)
Students in Poverty Less Likely to be Identified as Gifted
Effective Practices for Identifying and Serving English Learners in Gifted Education (pdf)
Recruiting and Supporting Underrepresented Students in Gifted and Talented Programs (pdf)
Identifying Gifted and Talented English Language Learners (pdf)
Equitable Access for Underrepresented Students in Gifted Education (pdf)
Minority Students Underrepresented in Gifted Programs
Underrepresentation of Black and Hispanic Students in Gifted Programs (YouTube 5:14)
Building Diversity in Gifted Programs (TEDxABQED 6:41)
To Be Young, Gifted and Black (Amazon) Excerpt (pdf)
Young, Gifted and Black: Meet 52 Black Heroes from Past and Present (Amazon)
Income, Race Big Factors in Rates of ‘Gifted’ Students
Multicultural Gifted Education, 2nd ed. (Amazon)
Image courtesy of Pixabay CC0 Public Domain
Graphic courtesy of Lisa Conrad.
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Finding Summer Enrichment Opportunities
Why is it important to find summer enrichment opportunities for gifted kids? There are many reasons to find summer enrichment; particularly when so many gifted students are languishing in classrooms where they lack challenge and enrichment. It’s been my experience these kids crave enriching summers. Summertime and school holidays can provide those rare opportunities for family time; forming true-peer relationships in pre-college or camp experiences; engaging in passion projects; exploration of new interests.
Enrichment can cover wide-ranging areas; but should ‘extend’ learning experiences. Consideration should be given to a child’s current level of understanding and desire to enhance knowledge in a particular area. It should not be an attempt to recreate the ‘classroom’ in just another setting. It should be fun and interesting for kids. They should be the one to determine the content of their enrichment experience.
Families can use summer and holiday time to seek enrichment opportunities. They need to take time for careful planning both in terms of time constraints, budget, and what the child wants to do. Family time together is precious; a time for building memories. Including enrichment is a win-win situation. Favorite vacation destinations, a family visit, even sightseeing; all can be repurposed or enhanced to seek enriching experiences for gifted kids. Family planning sessions can help to maximize the benefits for everyone.
Virtually all colleges and universities offer some form of pre-college enrichment. By scheduling opportunities at various schools, students can get a feel for the college experience while deciding what they are looking for in a school. We had a great experience with a summer program that was housed at a university. Not only did my daughter benefit from the program, but also got to experience being on a college campus, attending classes, socializing and dorm life.
Camp-style experiences can address social-emotional concerns while also guaranteeing a gifted child being able to associate with intellectual peers and mentors. These opportunities afford gifted students the chance to have a relaxing and fun experience that informs,instructs, and enhances learning outside a traditional classroom. Please see below for a list of summer opportunities. A transcript may be found at Wakelet.
Global #gtchat Powered by the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented is a weekly chat on Twitter. Join us Thursdays at 8E/7C/6M/5P in the U.S. and Fridays at Noon NZST/10 AM AEST/1 AM UK to discuss current topics in the gifted community and meet experts in the field. Transcripts of our weekly chats can be found at Storify. Our Facebook Page provides information on the chat and news and information regarding the gifted community. Also, checkout our Pinterest Page and Playlist on YouTube.
About the author: Lisa Conrad is the Moderator of Global #gtchat Powered by TAGT and Social Media Manager of the Global #gtchat Community. She is a longtime advocate for gifted children and also blogs at Gifted Parenting Support. Lisa can be contacted at: gtchatmod@gmail.com
Links:
Hoagies’ Gifted Education Page: Summer and Saturday Enrichment Programs
Summer Discovery Pre-College and Middle-School Enrichment Programs (14 University Partners)
Teen Ink Summer Program and Camp Guide for Teens
Top Summer Camps for Gifted Children
What Summer Camp Enrichment Programs for Gifted Students Can Offer
The Importance of Summer Learning Opportunities for Gifted Students
Finding the Right Summer Program for Your Gifted Child
Exploring Summer Camps Options (pdf)
Beyond School Walls: What Parents Can Do to Widen the Horizons of Their Gifted Learners (pdf)
Summertime and the Livin’ Is Easy (pdf)
50 Best Pre-College Summer Science Programs for High School Students
Summer Enrichment Opportunities – Meaningful Experiences Beyond the School Year
2e-Friendly Summer Camp Listing
Sprite’s Site: Gifted @ Play: Calculate your Leisure Profile
Hoagies’ Blog Hop: The Gift of Free Time
Cybraryman’s Summer Fun and Learning
Summer Enrichment Opportunities 2018*
(For informational purposes only. Listing is not an endorsement. Some deadlines have passed.)
Alabama:
University of Alabama K-12 Summer Programs
Alaska:
Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program: Summer Bridge (Anchorage)
Campbell Creek Science Center Trailside Discovery Camp (Anchorage)
Spring Creek Farm Trailside Discovery Camp (Palmer)
University of Alaska (Anchorage & MatSu): Summer Engineering Academies
Arizona:
Arizona Association for the Gifted and Talented: Student Enrichment Scholarship (up to $200)
Arizona State University: Barrett Summer Scholars
Gifted Rocks Summer Camps 2018 (pdf) (Anthem/Glendale)
Arkansas:
2018 Arkansas Governor’s School
California:
Alpha Star Academy Summer Camps (Santa Clara)
California College of the Arts Summer Pre-College Programs
Camp Galileo (Bay Area)
Camp Galileo (SoCal)
Sally Ride Science Junior Academy (San Diego)
San Francisco Art Institute: Pre-College
Sonoma State University Summer 2018 Program
Stanford University Pre-Collegiate Studies Academic Enrichment Programs
UC Berkeley’s Academic Talent Development Program: Summer Classes
UC Berkeley’s Pre-College Scholars: Summer Commuter Program
UC Irvine Summer 2018 Gifted Students Academy
UC San Diego Academic Connections
USC Spend the Summer with USC Dornsife
Colorado:
Colorado College (Colorado Springs) Gifted and Talented Plus Summer Programs 2018
Jefferson County Gifted Summer Opportunities (pdf)
UNC: Summer Enrichment Program
Weld RE-4 Summer Academic Camps 2018
Connecticut:
Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop Summer 2018
Manchester Community College Summer Enrichment Programs
Project Oceanology Summer Camps
Talcott Mountain Science Center Summer Programs
Delaware:
University of Delaware: Edge Summer College Program
Florida:
Pompano Beach High School Young Scholar Academy Summer Camp for the Gifted (pdf)
Stetson University HATS Summer Courses
University of Miami Summer Scholars Program
Georgia:
Atlanta Public Schools: Xanadu 2018 Gifted Summer Programs
Mathematics in Action (MIA) Scholars Program (Georgia Gwinnett College)
Tech Camp (Georgia Gwinnett College)
Illinois:
Galileo Innovation Camps (Chicago area)
Illinois Aerospace Institute Summer Camp
Science and Arts Academy: Summer Adventures in Learning (Des Plaines)
University of Chicago Summer Session for High School Students
Northwestern University: National High School Institute
Iowa:
Belin Blank Center: Summer Enrichment Opportunities
Blank Park Zoo Summer Safari Camps 2018 (Des Moines)
Dickinson County Nature Center (Okoboji): Summer Youth Camps
Grant Wood AEA’s College for Kids (Coe College – Cedar Rapids)
Iowa Ceramics Center Summer and Glass Studio Camps 2018 (Cedar Rapids)
Iowa State CY-TAG Summer Residential Program
Iowa State University Engineering Camps
Kirkwood Community College: STEM Camps (Cedar Rapids)
Living History Farms Summer Day Camps 2018 (Des Moines)
Maker Summer Camps from FabLab (Iowa City)
Summit Summer Camps (Cedar Rapids)
TCR Summer Performance Camps (Cedar Rapids)
TechKnow Summer Classes (Spencer)
Willow Wind Summer Program 2018: Full STEAM AHEAD (Iowa City)
Kentucky:
WKU: Camp Explore 1st – 3rd grade June 4-8, 2018
WKU: SCATS 6th – 8th grade June 10 -22, 2018
WKU: VAMPY 7th – 10th June 24 – July 14, 2018
WKU: Camp Innovate July 3rd – 5th grade 9 – 13, 2018
Louisiana:
McNeese State University Governor’s Program for Gifted Children
University of Louisiana Lafayette Academic Achievement Program: Rising Pre-K through 6th Grades (pdf)
University of Louisiana Lafayette Summer Scholars Residential and Commuter Program 2018 (pdf)
Massachusetts:
Boston College: Pre-College Summer Programs for High School Students
Brandeis University: Summer Residential Programs
Gakko: The Berkshires Ages: 13 – 18 June 24th – July 13th, 2018
New England Center for Investigative Reporting: The Pre-College Summer Journalism Institute (Boston)
Smith College (Women): Field Studies for Sustainable Futures
Smith College (Women): Summer Science & Engineering Program
Snow Farm Summer (Williamsburg)
Tuffs University: Summer at Tuffs Pre-College Programs
Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Frontier Program
Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Launch Program
Maryland:
University of Maryland: Terp Young Scholars
Michigan:
Michigan State University: GATE Summer Programs 2018 (pdf)
Minnesota:
2018 Minnesota Summer Camp Guide
Mississippi:
Missouri:
Washington University in St. Louis Sam Fox School Pre-College Summer Programs
Nebraska:
Doane University – Crete: Going Green! Algae for Biofuels Camp
Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum (Ashland): Summer Camps
University of Nebraska – Cedar Point Biological Station: Biodiversity and Field Science Camp
University of Nebraska – Kearney: Cyber Camp
University of Nebraska – Lincoln: Life Underground: The Unseen Power of Microbes Camp
University of Nebraska – Omaha: Aim For the Stars Science & Math Camp
University of Nebraska Medical Center – Omaha: High School Alliance Enrichment Programs
New Jersey:
Gifted Child Society Summer Super Stars Camp STEAM Day Camp 2018
Kean University Group Summer Scholars Research Program for High School Students
New Jersey Institute of Technology: Women in Engineering & Technology Initiatives FEMME Program
New Jersey Institute of Technology: Intermediate Robotics (iRobotics)
New Jersey Institute of Technology: Fundamentals of Physical Sciences
New Jersey Institute of Technology: Academy College Courses for High School Students
Rider University: Pre-College Musical Theatre Institute
Rider University: Pre-College Stage and Screen Acting Academy
Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts Summer Camps, Institutes, and Intensives
Rutgers University: Summer Scholars Program
Rutgers University: Summer Science Scholars Academy
Rutgers University: Pre-Engineering Summer Academy
Stevens Institute of Technology (Hoboken) Pre-College Programs
Stockton University: Science Enrichment Academy (SEAS)
The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) Summer Bonner Fellows Program
The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) Summer Academy for the Exploration of Health Professions
The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) Summer Academy for Science, Career, and Research Exploration
The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) Summer High School Urban Teacher Academy (pdf)
The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) Summer Robotics Camp
New York:
Alfred University Summer Programs
Challenge Camp (Westchester Co.)
Columbia University Barnard College High School Pre-College Summer Programs
Cooper Union: Introduction to Architecture for High School Students
Cooper Union: Summer Art Intensive
Cooper Union: Summer STEM Program
Cooper Union: Summer Writing Program
Hunter College Summer Enrichment Program (NYC)
Ithaca College Summer College for High School Students
New York Institute of Technology Academy
New York University (NYU): Summer High School Programs
Saratoga 2018 Summer Enrichment (pdf)
Syracuse University Summer College for High School Students
Wagner College: Summer Pre-College Program for High School Students
North Carolina:
Duke University: Summer Academy for High School Students
Duke University: Summer College for High School Students
Duke University: Summer Intensive STEM Academy
Ohio:
Be Wise STEM Camps (Girls) (Denison University – Granville)
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery: Summer Camps (Dayton)
Miami University Summer Scholars Program
Miami University Youth Writing Camp 2018
Oberlin College and Conservatory Summer Programs
Ohio Northern University Summer Academic and Honors Institute
Ohio Northern University Summer Camps
Ohio State: Explorations in Neuroscience Summer Camp
Ohio State: Humanities & Cognitive Sciences High School Summer Institute
Ohio State: Improving Diversity in Optometric Careers Intensive Three-day Residential Program
Ohio State: Philosophy and Critical Thinking Summer Camp – 2018 Focus: Justice
Ohio State: Public Speaking and Debate Camp
Ohio State: Ross Mathematics Program
Ohio State: Stone Lab Introductory Courses
Ohio State: Summer Institute for Discovering Nursing 2018
Ohio Supercomputer Center Summer Institute 2018 (Columbus)
Ohio Wesleyan University Junior League of Columbus Residential Summer Camp
Otterbein University 2018 Martin W. Essex School for the Gifted and Talented
Otterbein University Summer Music Experience
Summer Opportunities for Gifted Learners
Thurber Center 2018 Summer Writing Camp (Columbus)
University of Cincinnati: Design Architecture Art Planning (DAAP) Camps 2018
University of Cincinnati: High School Arts Immersion
University of Toledo: Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science Camps
Wright State Pre-College Residential Camps 2018
Pennsylvania:
Bucknell Academy Summer Experience
Camp Ballibay Arts Camp (Wyalusing Township)
Chatham University High School Summer Experiences Eduscholars/STEAM Camp (pdf)
Chatham University (Eden Hill) Sustainability Leadership Academy
CMU: Pre-College Artificial Intelligence
CMU: Summer Academy for Mathematics and Science
CMU: Summer Pre-College Programs
Cumberland Valley School District Summer Enrichment 2018 (pdf) (Mechanicsburg)
Duquesne University: Summer Institute for High School Students
Duquesne University: Forensic Science and Law Summer Workshop
Gettysburg College Summer Programs
Grayson School Summer 2018 Enrichment Programs
Indiana University of Pennsylvania Summer Honors College
Juniata College: Summer Science Splash Camp
Lebanon Valley College Summer Camps
Point Park University High School Summer Journalism Workshop
Susquehanna University: Exploring Legal Careers Summer Workshop
Susquehanna University: Summer Writers Workshop
University of Pennsylvania Penn Summer High School Programs
University of Pittsburgh Accelerated High School
Rhode Island:
Rhode Island School of Design: Pre-College
Roger Williams University: High School Summer Academy
South Carolina:
Furman University Summer Scholars
Tennessee:
Vanderbilt University Programs for Talented Youth Summer 2018 Student Programs
Texas:
Aquatic Science Adventure Camp
AwesomeMath Summer Programs (Plano)
Austin Public Library Friends Foundation
Baylor’s University for Young People
Botanical Research Institute of Texas: Camp BRIT 2018
Casa Mañana Performing Arts Conservatory Camp Casa Jr. (Fort Worth)
Casa Mañana Performing Arts Conservatory Camp Casa (Fort Worth)
Central Texas Writing Project: Young Writers Camp (Multiple Locations)
Creative Brick Builders: 2018 Summer Camps (Multiple Locations)
E.A. Young Academy’s Ignite! Summer Intensives 2018
Fort Worth Museum Science and History: Summer 2018 Museum School
Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge: 2018 Summer Natural History Adventures (pdf)
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center: Camps and Programs
Kimbell Art Museum: Summer Camps (Fort Worth)
Lone Star Leadership Academy (DFW)
Mansfield ISD: Rising Stars Discovery Camp 2018
Mighty Minds Enrichment Programs: Summer Camps (Plano/Frisco)
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth: Summer Art Camp and Art Study at the Modern 2018
Rice University: Creative Writing Camp
Rice University: Energy Explorations Academy at Rice University Summer 2018
Rice University: Rice Computer Engineering Design Academy for Middle School Students
Rice University: Rice Summer Business Institute
Rice University: Rice Summer Sessions for High School Students
Rice University: Tapia Camps Programs for Summer 2018
Summer Scholars Camp (Multiple Locations)
Texas A&M: Youth Adventure Program (College Station)
Texas State University: EARDC Aquatic Science Adventure Camp (San Marcos)
Texas Tech University – Institute for the Development and Enrichment of Advanced Learners (IDEAL)
UT Arlington: Engineering Summer Programs
UT Arlington: Kids and Teens University Summer Camps
UT Arlington: Summer @CAPPA 2018
UT Dallas: Coding Camps Summer 2018
Vermont:
Talent Development Institute: TDI Summer Camp 2018
The Putney School Summer Arts Studios
Virginia:
Governor’s Foreign Language Academies 2018
University of Virginia Summer Enrichment Program
Summer Residential Governor’s Schools 2018
Washington:
Robinson Center for Young Scholars Summer Challenge (University of Washington)
Summer @ Seabury 2018 (Tacoma)
Whitworth University: Whitworth’s Summer Program for Gifted Middle School Students (Spokane)
Washington, D.C.:
American University Community of Scholars Summer Program
Georgetown University Summer High School Programs
George Washington University Pre-College Summer Programs for High School Students
The St. Albans School of Public Service
West Virginia:
National Youth Science Camp (WV)
National:
Academic Study Associates Summerfuel
AIFS Gap Year/High School Programs Abroad
Boston University: Summer Programs for High School Students
Brown University Pre-College Summer Programs
Catholic University of America School of Architecture Summer High School Program
Coding with Kids: Camps Summer 2018 (Multiple Locations)
Concordia Language Villages Summer Camps (MN)
Cornell University Catalyst Academy
Davidson THINK Summer Institute (NV)
Duke University Youth Summer Programs (NC)
Harvard University (MA) Summer Programs for High School Students
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Summer Programs (MD)
Junior Statesman Pre-College Summer Programs for High School Students
National Inventors: Camp Invention (Multiple Locations)
National Student Leadership Conference (Multiple Locations)
Northwestern University Center for Talent Development Summer Programs (IL)
Purdue University GERI Summer Camps
Summer Discovery – Middle School Enrichment (Multiple Locations)
Summer Institute for the Gifted (Multiple Locations)
UC-Berkeley: Lawrence Hall of Science Summer Camps (CA)
University of Notre Dame Pre-College Summer Programs
William & Mary: Pre-College Summer Program in Early American History
Windsor Mountain Summer Camp (NH)
International:
CET Academic Programs (Study Abroad)
Oxbridge Academic Programs (US Locations)
Online:
Gifted Homeschoolers Forum Online Summer Classes
Laurel Springs Schools Summer Program
Northwestern University: Gifted Learning Links
*List compiled by and courtesy of Lisa Conrad and Gifted Parenting Support.
Image courtesy of Pixabay CC0 Public Domain
Graphic courtesy of Lisa Conrad.
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Critical Issues in Gifted Education
Before we began the chat, we thanked the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented for 6 years of incredible support for #gtchat!
AND … Congratulated TAGT on their 40th Anniversary of serving the gifted and talented of Texas!
Today, there are many critical issues facing gifted education and this week at #gtchat we focused on six issues. These issues covered a wide-range including where the emphasis should be placed in educating gifted children – whole child or strictly academics; teacher certification; identification; funding; equity; and best practices.
Should teachers of gifted students be required to be certified in gifted education? Any profession benefits from certification. Gifted education is rarely covered at the undergraduate level. Educators often lack the knowledge to recognize giftedness or the know how to respond to gifted students. Certification enhances a teacher’s ability to fairly and competently provide the best possible education for gifted students.
There are ways of identifying students for participation in gifted programs that respect equity regarding race, gender, economic status, 2E, and more. Identification needs to be universally done in the early elementary years. If a child shows strong signs of giftedness, earlier assessment should be considered. Lack of challenge can lead to many behavior and academic issues later. Specific assessments that reduce bias are available and should be used when appropriate.
Gifted education has a place even in tight school budgets. Denying students services claiming there is no money is just an excuse. School districts always ‘find’ the money when they need to do so. All students deserve a free and appropriate education. Full stop. Gifted education does not have to be expensive. An open mind to its ‘appropriateness’ can lead to many low-cost interventions such as acceleration, genius hour, and PBL.
Should greater emphasis be placed on the whole gifted child or academic achievement? Gifted education should meet the unique needs of each individual student. High achievers are not necessarily gifted and vice versa. Gifted students have many needs beyond academics; dealing with myths about being gifted, bullying, social-emotional needs, and finding intellectual peers.
Many options for gifted programming can be considered best practice. It begins with acknowledging the need for gifted services, early assessment and intervention, and providing a long-term individualized plan. Differentiation and acceleration are widely accepted as exceptional gifted programming; however, they don’t provide for students who exhibit an increased rate of acquisition. This leads to GT students relegated to the back of the room reading.
Why is it important to define what it means to be ‘gifted’? What are the consequences for failing to do so for educators, counselors and associated professionals? When teachers equate the ‘gifted’ label solely as high achievers, the gifted student will rarely receive appropriate intervention or adequate instruction and challenge in the classroom. Professionals who lack knowledge about what it means to be gifted cause a ripple effect throughout the system; such as referring students for inappropriate services, misdiagnosis of gifted characteristic traits, and misunderstanding 2E kids. A transcript of this chat may be found at Wakelet.
Global #gtchat Powered by the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented is a weekly chat on Twitter. Join us Thursdays at 8E/7C/6M/5P in the U.S. and Fridays at 1 PM NZDT/11 AM AEDT/Midnight UK to discuss current topics in the gifted community and meet experts in the field. Transcripts of our weekly chats can be found at Storify. Our Facebook Page provides information on the chat and news and information regarding the gifted community. Also, checkout our Pinterest Page and Playlist on YouTube.
About the author: Lisa Conrad is the Moderator of Global #gtchat Powered by TAGT and Social Media Manager of the Global #gtchat Community. She is a longtime advocate for gifted children and also blogs at Gifted Parenting Support. Lisa can be contacted at: gtchatmod@gmail.com
Links:
Exploring Critical Issues in Gifted Education: A Case Studies Approach (Amazon)
Critical Issues and Practices in Gifted Education, 2E: What the Research Says (Amazon)
Overlooked Gems: A National Perspective on Low-Income Promising Learners (pdf)
Recognizing, Supporting and Nurturing Underserved Gifted Students: A Moral Imperative
The Interest Issues of Gifted Children (pdf)
Gifted and Talented Education: A Review of Relevant Literature (pdf)
State Report Card Shows Most States Struggle to Support High-Achieving Students with Financial Need
States Faulted on Help for High-Ability, Low-Income Students
County Aims to Break Down Racial Barriers to Gifted Classes
The Framework for Gifted Endorsement Guidelines – PA (pdf)
No, It’s not Time to Ditch the Gifted Label
Cybraryman’s Gifted Identification Page
I Did Something I would NEVER Do in Most Classrooms
Photo courtesy of Pixabay CC0 Public Domain
Image courtesy of Pixabay CC0 Public Domain
Graphics courtesy of Lisa Conrad.
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Encouraging Intellectual Curiosity
Intellectual curiosity is a deep and persistent ‘need to know’ feeling that propels you to ask questions and seek answers. It means never having to say “I don’t know” about a topic you’ve found interesting. Intellectual curiosity is important for the advancement of society; a way forward in which we don’t do something stupid to end our existence. It is the basis for how we improve and grow as a species.
How can teachers develop intellectual curiosity in students? Model, model, model intellectual curiosity themselves; show an interest in what they are teaching and never be afraid to admit they don’t know all the answers. Intellectual curiosity can be sparked simply by asking students thought provoking questions and not giving the answers. Going far beyond test prep and encouraging more questions can be the beginning of intellectual curiosity.
Parents can nurture intellectual curiosity in their children. They can be patient when their children are young and always asking ‘why’. Never discourage their inquisitive nature; rather nurture it by showing an interest in their passions. Parents can provide a wide array of resources to assist their children in seeking answers to their questions. It doesn’t have to be expensive; it may require a time and interest commitment on their part.
Why do some people lose their intellectual curiosity? Sometimes children lose their intellectual curiosity because of factors beyond their own control; an inability to focus, to stay on task or lack of encouragement to explore new things. A person’s response to early failures or criticism from others can extinguish the spark of intellectual curiosity.
There are personal benefits to increasing intellectual curiosity. It encourages lifelong learning which not only benefits ourselves but those around us as well; whether they are our children, students or friends. Intellectual curiosity can increase our chances (not necessarily insure) of success in life as we integrate what we learn into our everyday life. As students, academic achievement is most often preceded by intellectual curiosity. A transcript of this chat may be found at Storify.
Global #gtchat Powered by the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented is a weekly chat on Twitter. Join us Thursdays at 8E/7C/6M/5P in the U.S. and Fridays at 1 PM NZDT/11 AM AEDT/Midnight UK to discuss current topics in the gifted community and meet experts in the field. Transcripts of our weekly chats can be found at Storify. Our Facebook Page provides information on the chat and news and information regarding the gifted community. Also, checkout our Pinterest Page and Playlist on YouTube.
About the author: Lisa Conrad is the Moderator of Global #gtchat Powered by TAGT and Social Media Manager of the Global #gtchat Community. She is a longtime advocate for gifted children and also blogs at Gifted Parenting Support. Lisa can be contacted at: gtchatmod@gmail.com
Links:
Virtuous Minds: Intellectual Character Development (Amazon)
Is Intellectual Curiosity a Strong Predictor for Academic Performance?
The Hungry Mind: Intellectual Curiosity Is the Third Pillar of Academic Performance (pdf)
Innovation through Intellectual Curiosity
A Journey of Intellectual Curiosity
Intellectual Curiosity and the Scientific Revolution: A Global Perspective (Amazon)
Intellectual Curiosity in Our Schools (Amazon)
The Importance of a Curious and Stimulated Intellect
Cultivating Intellectual Curiosity (Prezi)
Why Children Ask ‘Why?’ and What Makes a Good Explanation
Sprite’s Site: Flight School Hits the Asynchrony Speed Bump
Wonder Day Project (YouTube 1:55)
Cybraryman’s Intellectual Curiosity
Curiosity 1: Anticipation and Dopamine
Curiosity 6: Recipes for Curiosity
Image courtesy of Pixabay CC0 Public Domain
Graphic courtesy of Lisa Conrad.
