3 ways schools fail gifted students

3 WAYS SCHOOLS FAIL GIFTED STUDENTS

And What You Can Do About It

Lisa DaVia Rubenstein, Ph.D.Ball State University

Heidelberg University Education SummitMarch 24, 2016

3 POSSIBLE FAILS

Everyone is gifted.

Gifted students will be successful on their own.

“A” gifted program is sufficient.

EVERYONE IS GIFTED.v. Everyone has gifts.

#1

NO ONE IS GIFTED?

The Three Little Bears

WHO IS GIFTED?

WHO IS GIFTED?

WHO IS A HEIDELBERG STUDENT?

WHO IS GIFTED?

WHO IS A HEIDELBERG STUDENT?

Male (52%), Non-Diverse (74%), Lives on Campus (84%), Participates in Extracurriculars (92%)

Gifted Characteristic Lists...

WHO IS GIFTED?

Cognitive Characteristics: Learns at a faster pace and processes at a deeper level

Affective Characteristics: May demonstrate asynchronous development, underachievement, and perfectionism

EVERYONE IS GIFTED.

Recognize when students have needs that are not being met. (e.g., pre-assess, examine assessment scores, observe)

Recognize a variety of degrees and domains of giftedness.

Construct learning opportunities specific for those needs. (next...)

v. Everyone has gifts.#1

What you can do:

GIFTED STUDENTS WILL BE SUCCESSFUL ON THEIR OWN.

Potential for dropping out

Lack of failure opportunities

Lack of self-actualization

Excellence Gap (next...)

#2

Without a challenging education:

TALENT ON THE SIDELINESResearch Report

CONCLUSIONS?

America focuses on minimum achievement gaps, not excellence achievement gaps.

Some students are making more progress than others.

GIFTED STUDENTS WILL BE SUCCESSFUL ON THEIR OWN.

Consider students’ cultural backgrounds and SES.

Recognize gifted students. Provide opportunities for growth.

Provide support systems, including opportunities to work with intellectual peers and access to counselors.

Advocate for special services.

#2What you can do:

“A” GIFTED PROGRAM IS SUFFICIENT.

#3

“A” GIFTED CHILD?

BECAUSE THERE IS NOT “A” GIFTED CHILD...

THERE SHOULD NOT BE “A” GIFTED PROGRAM

THERAPEUTIC DOSE(Gallagher)

“A” GIFTED PROGRAM IS SUFFICIENT.

Carefully match a student’s needs (degree and domain) with the appropriate service.

Ensure the program provides a therapeutic dosage (effective).

Provide a continuum of services. Dedicate sufficient resources. (next...)

#3What you can do:

From Provo, Utah

3 POSSIBLE FAILS

Everyone is gifted.

Gifted students will be successful on their own.

“A” gifted program is sufficient.

I N T E R E S T E D I N F U T U R E S T U D I E S ?

Join us at Ball State!

Questions?

lmrubenstein@bsu.edu