The Talent Act

I always try to keep up with what is going on the United States in terms of gifted education and talent development.  I find it hard to keep abreast of everything, as there are so many talented educators and researchers in gifted education south of the border.  Today, I was reading about the Talent Act on the website The National Associaton for Gifted Children.   I think this is very interesting that there is a focus on new federal policy that looks at the needs of gifted students.

I find the statement below, in the introduction of the Talent Act,  an interesting comment on what has been happening in education:  "Unfortunately, a lack of federal investment in this population means that availability and access to these services depends solely on state and local funds, which is highly variable and unpredictable. This underinvestment in excellence is exacerbated by the singular focus on low-performing students under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, and has resulted in a new achievement gap—the gap between minority and economically disadvantaged students who are gifted and talented and their more advantaged, high-ability peers." 


Similarly in Canada, we have underinvestment in gifted education. My fear is that if we do not provide publicly funded programs for gifted students, they will leave for the private system if they can afford to pay for it...creating a two tier education system in our province.  

But what if you are a parent and can't afford a private school education?  And, attending a private school doesn't ensure that the needs of the gifted are being addressed!


Since education is a provincial jurisdiction in Canada, each province has policy concerning the gifted.   Do you know what policies your province or jurisdiction has with regards to gifted students?  Are you aware of how this funding is allocated in your district?