Chapter 13 BIG QUESTIONS Gifted/Talented
Should gifted student be educated with their same-age peers (in general education classes) or in need of heterogenous groups of students who share similar intellectual and academic talents/interests?
It can be beneficial to do either for students. Inclusion provided multicultural education, exposes the students to people of different skill levels, and in general more social opportunities. If methods of ability grouping, acceleration, curriculum compacting, an understanding of intraindividual differences, and things like enrichment programs an inclusion program may be perfect. Especially for a student that is strong in many area's not just a specific area. However, if a student has a large asynchrony between their different skills, a specialized school might be the best approach.
How is "gifted" child defined? NAGC
National Association of Gifted Children,DEFINTION= Demonstrate outstanding levels of aptitude (Exceptional ability to reason or learn) OR! competence (documented performance or achievement in the to 10% or rarer).
How can general education classroom teachers provide curriculum and instruction at the pace, breadth, and depth needed by gifted and talented students, while meeting the needs of other students in the classroom?
Set an expectation of "academic rigor" and avoid the abuse of grading practices/dumbing down of academic material. Instead have systematic teaching for research skills, keyboarding/computer understanding, speed reading/comprehension. Provide a deeper and more relevant understanding of curriculum. Strive for big picture and intersecting curriculum. Be mindful of their learning style that is much faster, deeper, analytical, creative and comprehensive than that of their peers.
How has the dynamic and evolving definition of giftedness changed the ways in which students are identified and served?
Students who are gifted have received higher levels of service because of the ongoing and developing definitions of their skills. It is important that students that are gifted to receive the resources they need to fully develop their skills in either music, academics, or other skills. More recently definitions have emphasized the development of their very specific talents I.E. Statistics, or research specifically in biology. It is also important that they are provided with emotional and social support because they tend to have a great level of empathy. Resulting in not understanding things like cutting funding for poor people or people in need. Even students with talent of this level tend to have an asynchrony between subjects. Such as being skilled at math but being weaker in writing, making it important to bridge the gap between these skills.
Why do students who are very capable need special education?
The standard education process would not provide services for their higher skills and not provide support for the asynchrony of their skills. It would also most likely not have enrichment approaches that would provide these students with optimal learning opportunities.
What provisions can be made to accurately identify students who are from racially, culturally, and economically different groups or who have disabilities?
To identify students with gifted talents from different racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds, disabilities means that a comprehensive screening has to be done not just one or a few tests. It can involve a combination of standardized testing, intelligence testing, parent/teacher/individual interviewing, informal testing, specific testing and portfolio of student work. Background and lack of intellectual exposure should be taken into account, for example not being taken to museums for art, science and culture. That is why using the DISCOVER method of (Marker) can be so useful because of its emphasis on problem solving skills.
What are some strategies for differentiating curriculum for gifted and talented learners through acceleration and enrichment?
Using appropriate subjects within acceleration vs enriching. (Math better for acceleration, sociology better for enriching). Giving the students projects with specific goals for them to achieve and specific outline of how to try and accomplish that goal. Creating tiered lesson plans. Example students may be learning about Ben Franklin but a gifted student should instead right a thesis paper instead "How did Ben Franklin influence the way the United States government was created?" Use curriculum compacting covering parts of a academic process that comes easily to student into a faster blocks giving more time to challenge them more deeply in weaker areas.
Should special education for gifted and talented students be required by federal law, as it is for students with disabilities?
Yes, because it is in our countries best interest to provide these individuals with the opportunity to reach their full potential, as it should be for all students. A regular classroom environment may actually hinder their abilities by creating boredom and frustration towards their academics life.
