Do Gifted and Talented Students Need Special Schools?

Do Gifted and Talented Students Need Special Schools?

Running Head: POSITION PAPER







Take Your Side Position Paper
Do Gifted and Talented Students Need Special Schools?
Justin Sweeney MS.Ed
Duquesne University
7-18-13




















For years there has been an ongoing debate regarding the best kinds of programs for gifted students. In my research I have found there is no straightforward right solution. A great deal relies on the characteristics of the children, their particular types of giftedness, and the requirements and resources of the school and community. There are two conflicting views; John Cloud believes we are failing our geniuses. However; Susan Winebrenner and Dina Brulles, believes there is hope if certain programs are in place for gifted students. I will discuss each position, give interventions designed to help the gifted and talented population, and finally reveal my position on this ongoing topic.
Gifted students are characterized as students with outstanding intellectual and creative ability within the top one or two percent of the population. Typically, gifted students have an IQ of 130 or higher (22 Pa. Code ยง16.21(d)). Gifted students have a tendency to process information and reason in a diverse way from other students and their teachers. Gifted students also have the ability to think, make connections, establish deductions, and draw conclusions faster than other students. Gifted students may exhibit some or all of the following characteristics: different thinking ability, be highly verbal, critical of self and others, different modes of response, and relentless in their pursuit of obtaining their own goals. These characteristics can be considered positive or negative depending on context. Depending on the school district, gifted students can be identified by scores on IQ tests, standardized tests, tests to evaluate creativity, recommendations of teachers or parents, and personal achievements, or a combination of all these factors. Some schools...

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