+ Meeting the Needs of Gifted Students An Overview of Resources Dr. Donna L. Poland Virginia Department of Education February 7, 2015
+ Talent Development Given their mission to educate all learners, schools may simply never have the resources or time to give gifted and talented students all that they need. Talent development occurs in many contexts, including community, family, and school. Talent development involves both formal and informal learning. (Olszewski-Kubilius, 2010)
+ Out-of-School Learning Gives students a chance to work with their true peers Gives students ways to enrich or accelerate their learning Enables students to experience authentic work Allows students to explore their interest area(a) in depth Prevents skills loss in the summer (Olszewski-Kubilius, 2010, pp. 561 – 562)
+ Finding Resources Internet “Math competitions” or “robotics camp + Virginia” Centers for Gifted Education Websites Staff members National and State Organizations Websites Staff members
+ Questions to Ask What are my child’s talents and interests ? Do I want to build upon my child’s existing talents or offer exposure to new areas? Is my child at a beginning, intermediate, or expert level of development in his or her area of interest or talent? How advanced are the available courses? Are other student participants at the same level? How much extrinsic motivation does my child need at this time to pursue his or her interest or talent? (Schroth, 2011, p. 157)
+ Mentoring Mentoring is a one-on-one relationship between a young person and someone who is an expert in a field or has passion and knowledge in a particular area. This exploration can be accomplished face-to-face, over the phone, through mail, or via e-mail. (Roberts & Inman, 2011, p. 167) Some ‘mentoring’ experiences are geared more toward shadowing, while other experiences provide guidance/mentoring in a particular field of study (research mentorships)
+ Mentoring Benefits for the mentee include the following: real-world applications of passion or interest; self-confidence; expanded possibilities for learning; increased knowledge base; continuous progress; deepening enthusiasm for a subject; extension or enrichment of the curriculum; career direction; gaining a role model; and growth in an area of giftedness (e.g., academic, leadership, creativity, visual arts, performing arts). (Roberts & Inman, 2011, p. 168)
+ Resources General Information for Parents from Organizations Online Reading Materials for Parents Blogs Talent Searches Enrichment in Various Disciplines Online Courses for Students Competitions
+ General Information/Organizations National organizations National Association for Gifted Children (www.nagc.org) The Association for the Gifted, Council for Exceptional Children (http://cectag.com) State organizations Virginia Association for the Gifted (www.vagifted.org) Other State G/T Organizations: Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented (txgifted.org) Centers National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented (http://www.gifted.uconn.edu/nrcgt/) Curry School/UVA (http://curry.virginia.edu/research/centers/nrcgt) Center for Gifted Education, The College of William and Mary (http://education.wm.edu/centers/cfge/)
+ Online Reading Materials Duke University: Digest of Gifted Research http://tip.duke.edu/node/84 Free, online newsletter - resource for research-based information about raising and educating academically talented children. Imagine Magazine http://cty.jhu.edu/imagine/ For middle and high school students who want to take control of their learning and get the most out of their precollege years. 2e Twice-Exceptional Newsletter http://www.2enewsletter.com/ Promotes understanding of twice-exceptional children
+ Blogs Byrdseed.com http://www.byrdseed.com/ Features a wealth of information for parents and teachers The Prufrock Press Blog http://blog.prufrock.com/ Features news and views on gifted, advanced, and special needs learners Gifted Exchange http://giftedexchange.blogspot.com/ Supported by the Davidson Institute and focuses on gifted children, schooling, parenting, and education
+ Talent Searches Educational programs that are carried out at specific locations throughout the country (John’s Hopkins) Students who score at the 95th percentile on a standardized test can take advantage of above-level ACT or SAT testing in middle school Fees: Nominal and can often get a grant if a student qualifies for free or reduced lunch program Benefits: above-level testing experience, test preparation materials, tools to interpret scores, recognition, resources, access to programs
+ Enrichment Cogito at Johns Hopkins http://www.cogito.org For students who love science, technology, engineering, and math EduHound http://www.eduhound.com Collection of topic-based online education resources The Academy of Achievement http://www.achievement.org Brings students face-to-face with extraordinary leaders who have changed our world
+ Language Arts Young Adult Library Services Association http://www.ala.org/yalsa/booklistsawards/booklistsbook Division of the American Library Association that includes awards and book lists for teenagers Creative Kids http://www.prufrock.com/Assets/ClientPages/kids_magazine.aspx Nation’s largest magazine by and for kids, publishing creative writing and artwork by kids ages 8 – 16 Teen Ink http://www.teenink.com National teen magazine, book series, and website devoted entirely to teenage writing, art, photos and forums
+ Mathamatics Mega-Mathematics http://www.ccs3.lanl.gov/mega-math Discusses fun mathematic topics and provides other interesting links USA Mathematical Talent Search http://www.usamts.org Free mathematics competition open to all United States middle and high school students
+ Science Intel Science Talent Search https://student.societyforscience.org/intel-sts Prestigious science competition for high school seniors who submit independent research projects; winners receive college scholarships How Stuff Works http://www.howstuffworks.com Information on how things work using videos, blogs, games, and more Human Anatomy http://www.innerbody.com Explore the human body like never before with interactive pictures
+ Social Studies Kids.gov http://kids.usa.gov Variety of information on various government topics for kids, teens, and adults iCivics http://www.icivics.org Web-based education project designed to teach students civics and inspire them to be active participants in our democracy
+ Online Courses Virtual Virginia (AP Courses) and other Multidivision Online Providers (MOP) http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/virtual_learning/index.html Coursera https://www.coursera.org/courses Partners with schools like Princeton, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, and Brown to bring free, college-level education to the web Udacity https://www.udacity.com Offers free, interactive college classes iTunes U (app) http://www.apple.com/apps/itunes-u/ Free app offers access to the largest online catalog of free education content from leading institutions
+ Competitions Many competitions are facilitated through the school Increasingly, competitions are online or submitted through online portals See handout: ‘Enrichment Programs And Opportunities In Virginia’
+ Questions? Contact Information: Donna L. Poland, Ph.D. Virginia Department of Education Donna.Poland@doe.virginia.gov 804-225-2884
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