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National Association of Gifted Children(NAGC) was founded
(Kathleen Mooney) In 1954, the NAGC was founded. This association provides many resources to administrators, teachers, and parents. There are a plethora of resources on their website for anyone who is a stakeholder in gifted education. (http://www.nagc.org) They provide conferences, publications, webinars and standards to help gifted learners as well as those who service them. -
Sputnik Launched
(Jake Fladd) The launching of Sputnik (1957) was an important event when developing an understanding of Gifted and Talented Program Development in the United States. According to 'Education of the Gifted and Talented', by Sylvia Rimm after Russia launched Sputnik, the United States knew they fell behind in the area of intelligence. This caused a renewing idea to focus on the Gifted and Talented programs in the USA. -
The Office of the Gifted and Talented is established
(Kathryn Menne) A study which looked at the needs of gifted students was conducted which led to the federal government's first direct assistance to gifted education in the form of the Office of the Gifted and Talented, which was housed under the Bureau of Education for the Handicapped. This event was important because it was the first time the federal government was stepping in to assist. Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/docview/203257635?accountid=12333 -
Gifted Students with Disabilities
(Donna Balado) The following notes from Dr. Reis' review of major turning points in gifted education. Particularly interesting is the timing because this had to shift a paradigm for educators.
"The exceptionality of gifted students with disabilities was mentioned at a national conference on handicapped gifted held in 1976; in 1977 the category “gifted handicapped” was added to ERIC indices (Yewchuk & Bibby, 1989)." http://gifted.uconn.edu/schoolwide-enrichment-model/major_turning_points/ -
Definition of Gifted and Talented
(Rachel Winter)
In 1978, U.S. Congress revised Maryland's definition of gifted and talented. This started the revision of the definition. The main difference was that psychomotor ability was excluded because this could now be a part of performing arts. Athletically gifted students are provided for outside GT programs as well. These new definitions focus on knowledge and thinking. Another important difference was focusing on respecting diverse cultures throughout the country. -
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth
(Donna Balado) Impressive institution launching outreach to support GT youth. "The world leader in gifted education since 1979, Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth is a nonprofit dedicated to identifying and developing the talents of academically advanced pre-college students around the world" http://cty.jhu.edu/about/ -
Francois Gagne's Differentiated Model of Giftedness and Talent
(Kathleen Mooney) Francois Gagne defined 'gifts' as greatly superior abilities that one is born with. He described 'talents' as skills that are honed and developed over time. This work encouraged the field of gifted education by showing that gifts need to be nurtured for them to grow into talents. Teachers are in a position to provide the 'catalyst' to develp a child's gifts into talents. -
Jacob Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act
(Jake Fladd) Congress passed the Jacob Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act in 1988. According to 'Education of the gifted and Talented', by Sylvia Rimm expressed how this act created funding for the research center, individualized research grants, and statewide grants which focus on students with gifts and talents. This act is now the Every Student Succeeds Act (2015). -
U.S. Department of Education Report
Rachel Winter
The U.S. Department of Education Report: National Excellence A Case for Developing America's Talent was good for educators of gifted students. It explained that we need to pay more attention to gifted students and meet the needs of these students as well. It challenged us to make sure the students were being challenged and completing their best work at a level that fits them. These students should have the same opportunities to be successful so we need appropriate training. -
1994, The Bell Curve & IQ Controversies
(Crystal Posey) The Bell Curve which was designed to help support gifted students appears. It was criticized for the false sense that a high IQ means success in life, a low IQ came with a low value to people, and for the idea that it did not take into consideration racial differences. Rimm, S.B., Siegle, D., & Davis, G. A., (2018). Education of the gifted and talented. (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Education, Inc. -
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001
(Lori Pitcock) No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001 was signed into law by President George W. Bush on this day in 2002 (Mervis, 2009). NCLB targeted boosting the achievement of lowest-achieving students with drill-and-kill activities, which prevented engagement and enthusiasm for gifted students because it did not supply them with challenges or focus from educators. Achievement gaps did positively change; however it was done a the cost of high achievers (Rimm, Siegle, & Davis, 2018). -
2003, Tannenbaum's Who, What and How of Giftedness
(Crystal Posey) Tannenbaum created a taxonomy with eight categories of gifted persons. The categories focus on the creativity and proficiency of thought, tangibles, performers of staged artistry and human services. He also believed there were five factors that eventually contribute to giftedness. Rimm, S.B., Siegle, D., & Davis, G. A., (2018). Education of the gifted and talented. (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Education, Inc. -
America Competes Act
(Lori Pitcock) The goal of the America Competes Act was to strengthen educational opportunities in STEM education throughout the school year (Inouye, 2007). This legislation did not specifically target gifted students, but became a familiar term in the gifted curriculum for a global economy. This act was funded to positively affect children of varying abilities, and recognize the national need to be competitive and to have a positive fallout for gifted students (Rimm, Siegle, & Davis, 2018). -
Pre-k to Grade 12 Gifted Programming Standards are revised
(Kathryn Menne) These standards provided direction and focus for those designing instruction for gifted learners. The significance of these standards are that they help to provide consistency and quality in the education of gifted learners. http://www.nagc.org/resources-publications/resources/gifted-education-us/brief-history-gifted-and-talented-education -
ESSA Signed into Law
(Kathleen Mooney) The Every Student Succeeds Act is a US law passed that governs K–12 public education policy. Title I funds may be used to identify and serve gifted students. States say how they will use funds to train teachers to identify students and meet academic needs. Law retains the authorization of the Jacob Javits Gifted Education Grant.