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Terman Longitudinal Study
Terman studied 643 children in California who scored an IQ of 140 or above, and continued to evaluate them throughout their lives. Studies were called "Termites" and were contacted in 1921, 1930, 1947, and 1959, after his death. Terman's studies have been the most extenisve on high-functionning children and he broke stereotypes on gifted children. -
Children Above IQ of 180 by Leta Hollingworth Published
Hollingworth studied a group of chidlren who scored above a 180 on an IQ test and worked to change the school system to improve to meet gifted student's needs. She emphasized the importance of early identification, daily contact and ability grouping. -
Sputnik Launched
Sputnik was launched by the Soviet Union which triggered a Space Race and thereby an emphasis on education for bright students. The National Defense Education Act was passed by Congress in 1958 with $1 billion to bolster science, math and technology in public education. Educators immiediately pushed to identify and serve gifted students. -
Maryland Report Published
Gave the first general definition of giftedness, and was the first direct, proactive government advocacy for gifted education. It defined giftedness in six areas: general intellectual ability; specific academic aptitide; creative or productive thinking; leadership ability; visual and performing arts; or psychomotor ability. -
A Nation At Risk
Asserted American schools were failing--we were no longer receiving superior education, and in some cases, couldn't keep up. One recommendation of the books was to increases serves to gifted programs and created standards for identifying and servicing gifted students. -
Jacob Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act
This was passed as part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Rather than fudning district level gifted programs, the Javits Act will fund: research of effective methods of testing, identification and programing (at the Research center); awarding grants to colleges, states and districts that focus on underrepresented populations of gifted students; and grants awareded to state and districts for program implementation. -
A Nation of Excellence
Focus fon policy review with six major recommendations dealing with challenging curriculum standards, high level learning opportunieis, early childhood education, extended opportunities for economically disadvantaged and minority children; teacher training and technical assitance and matching world performance. -
State Plan for the Education of Gifted and Talented Students
The State Plan provides requirements for and guidance to districts as they meet the unique needs of the gifted/talented population in Texas. This is important because most of the other states have adopted ours. -
A Nation Deceived
A report published by the John Templeton Foundation, which highlighted the disparity between the research on acceleartaion and the US practices that are contrary to the conclusions of the research. The Institute for Research and Policy on Acceleration (IRPA) was established following the publication of this report.