Have any of you been following the discussion around the NAGC's proposed new focus on talent development?
I am very concerned that the NAGC will no longer be representing the interests of gifted students with this new focus and definition of giftedness.
What are your thoughts?
I suggest that we take a bold step and consider making talent development, rather than giftedness, the major unifying concept of our field and most importantly, the basis for our practice.
White paper on the topic:
Giftedness is the manifestation of performance or production that is clearly at the upper end of the distribution in a talent domain even relative to that of other high-functioning individuals in that domain. Further, giftedness can be viewed as developmental, in that in the beginning stages, potential is the key variable; in later stages, achievement is the measure of giftedness; and in fully developed talents, eminence is the basis on which this label is granted. Psychosocial variables play an essential role in the manifestation of giftedness at every developmental stage. Both cognitive and psychosocial variables are malleable and need to be deliberately cultivated.
Finally, outstanding achievement or eminence ought to be the chief goal of gifted education.
