Education of the Gifted and Talented Mr Neil

Education of the Gifted and Talented

Mr Neil Downing Principal - SELB Mr David Ryan Adviser - BELB

Consider the following statements Introduction “There is no need to do anything for Gifted students as they are already well endowed” “Northern Ireland has a world class education system with good results, good schools and therefore does not need to have gifted programmes”

Setting the Context

Features of a Model Policy • Rationale • Statement of Intention • Definitions • Identification • Organisational Issues • Provision • PSE • GATCO • CPD • MER • Transition Teaching the Very Able Child: Developing a Policy and Strategies for Provision. Belle Wallace. NACE (2000)

Activity What do you consider would be a good working definition? Discuss in groups of 4 -6 with feedback

Definitions White et al (2003, 3) has identified over 200 different definitions for gifted and talented.

Outstanding Ability (Teare, 1997, 11) Definitions Able and Talented (Kerry, 1981, 5) Bright Pupils (Leroux & Mc. Millen, 1983, 7) High Ability (Denton & Postlethwaite, 1985, 66)

Definitions Majoram (1988, 15) genius, gifted, high ability, talented, flair, creative • Many • Confusing • Not well defined • Used interchangeably

National Association for Able Children in Education (NACE) Definitions Able, Gifted and Talented www. nace. co. uk

CCEA Definition In the absence of an agreed definition of the terms ‘Gifted and Talented’ and ‘Exceptionally Able’, we have assumed that the student’s abilities will be in one or more of the following areas: - general intellectual ability or talent; - specific academic aptitude or talent; - visual and performing arts and sports; - leadership ability; - creative and productive thinking; - mechanical ingenuity; and - special abilities in empathy, understanding and negotiation. NB. Caution should be exercised

Definitions Department for Education and Skills (Df. ES) Renamed the Department for Children, Schools and Families (Df. CSF) in 2007 The gifted are those with high ability in one or more academic subjects, and the talented are those with high ability in sport, music, visual arts and/or performing arts. (Teachernet, 2006)

Definitions Gray-Fow (2005, 15) suggest that the Df. ES definition is straightforward and has a lot to recommend it as it is easily understood. The drawback is that it does not correspond with many writers’ definitions of talent.

Activity What terminology will your school use? – Able, More Able, Gifted and Talented, Exceptionally Able? Discuss in groups of 4 -6 with feedback

What terminology will your school use? – Able, More Able, Gifted and Talented, Exceptionally Able? Identification How will you define the cohort? Top 5% 5 -10% 20% 40% (National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth) Df. ES/Df. CSF NACE (Denton and Postlethwaite)

Identification

Existing School Data Identification Teacher Identification Self Nomination Parents Peers External Sources – e. g. Ed. Psy

Activity Identify your gifted and talented cohort from the information provided Discuss in groups of 4 -6 with feedback

Renzulli Ring Summary Task Commitment Creativity Above Average Ability Source: Ryan, 2006