EDCI 625--Contemporary Issues and Trends in Gifted Education
This class offered all of us the opportunity to explore notions of giftedness around the world and different responses to it. My family and I had lived in Germany from 2004-2007. So, I explored German gifted education and was able to interview old friends from Germany and glean their perspectives on gifted education, the Gymnasium, and testing; for example.
I was pleased to find out that one of the European centers of gifted education had been a short drive from our house in Germany. The Center for the Study of Giftedness is at Radboud University Nijmegen. I am hopeful that one day I can study there as I continue my research into the needs of gifted students.
This course focused on current research, trends and issues as well as legislation and litigation concerning children identified as gifted and talented. It provided professionals in the field of gifted education, regular education and related fields with the knowledge and skills needed to serve as advocates for gifted
child education.
Course Goals:
This course enabled participants to:
1. gain knowledge of historical, political and theoretical perspectives as well as major current trends and issues in gifted education and how they related to current gifted education professional roles and programs;
2. examine the role of federal and state legislation and policy (e.g. No Child Left Behind, Jacob Javits Act of 1998) on services for gifted children and their families;
3. examine the purpose of advocacy and the role of local, state and national organizations;
4. discuss the intersection of equity and excellence in such efforts as National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL’s) or NCLB;
5. synthesize the implications of current trends and issues within the context of historical, political and theoretical perspectives in gifted education;
6. gain knowledge of applicable laws, rules and regulations regarding the planning and implementation of programs/services for gifted children and their families;
7. possess the knowledge and skills to communicate effectively on behalf of gifted children at the local and state
level.