What is the history of Gifted Education in the United States?
What is the definition of ‘gifted” or “exceptional” child? The U. S. Department of Education (DOE) uses this definition of giftedness. Gifted and talented children are those identified by professionally qualified persons who by virtue of outstanding abilities are capable of high performance. Children capable of high performance include those with demonstrated achievement and or potential ability in any of the following areas singly or in combination: • General intellectual ability • Specific academic aptitude • Creative or productive thinking • Leadership ability • Visual and performing arts • Psychomotor ability While this definition was first formed in 1972 in a congressional report, the implementation of this definition has varied in the last 30 years. Funding and support for gifted programs has also varied over time leading to multiple program delivery models and levels of funding. In our early years in American schooling little attention was given to gifted students. Interest incr
