-
Earliest systemic attempt to educate gifted youth in public schools
Superintendent William Torrey Harris of St. Louis instituted the first systematic attempt to educate gifted children in 1868. This event has major significance because it was the first time that a large scale program for gifted students was implemented in the United States. Even prior to the Simon-Binet test leaders such as William Torrey Harris saw the need to specialize for gifted learners. -
Period: to
History of Gifted Education
-
Binet-Simon IQ Test is Published
The Binet-Simon IQ test was the first exam to quantify intelligence down to one number. First published in French, this test was originally created to identify students with special needs in order to provide them with support in special classrooms. Its ability to identify gifted students was soon discovered, and thus the IQ test became a standardized benchmark exam used to place gifted students. This test, when translated into English by Lewis Terman, jumpstarted the gifted education movement. -
First Gifted Textbook
Leta Hollingsworth publishes the first textbook addressing the needs of gifted students entitled "Gifted Children: Their Nature and Nurture." Hollingsworth drew on her experiences teaching gifted students in New York City in order to author the book. Her research and book laid the foundation for further studies concerning gifted students. -
Marland Report
The 1972 Marland Report officially defines giftedness for the first time. It encourages a broad definition of giftedness while pushing schools to identify and support gifted learners. As the first formal definition on the books, the Marland Report helped pave the way for future legislation concerning gifted learners. -
A Nation at Risk Published
The 1983 book "A Nation at Risk" brings attention to the problems facing gifted learners. Discussing everything from best practices to acceleration, it sparks reform across the nation. "A Nation at Risk" draws attention to the idea that American schools are failing their students. -
NAGC Standards Published
The National Association for Gifted Children publishes standards for gifted students. The National Gifted Education Standards are made available to all educators. They can be accessed as a starting point to provide services for gifted education or as guidance for identifying gifted learners. This specific moment is important because of its ability to impact students across the nation. With clearly published standards, it becomes easier for educators to identify and support gifted students.
