Exploring Critical Issues in Gifted Education: A Case Studies Approach

The new edition of Exploring Critical Issues in Gifted Education presents problem-based learning scenarios that explore authentic situations found in K-12 classrooms.

The real-world, current issue scenarios and cases described in this text are designed to be read and discussed in a short amount of time, allowing the reader to gain greater understanding through empathy, analyze multiple perspectives, and support the standards of excellence set forth in the 2019 NAGC Pre-K-12 Gifted Programming Standards and the Global Principles for Professional Learning in Gifted Education. This new edition features additional cases focusing on professional learning practices in the areas of equity, thrice exceptionality, psychosocial development, and talent development.

An engaging course text and a valuable professional development tool, this book will provide decision-making strategies to analyze cases and personalize solutions - allowing educators to gain the insight needed to improve the identification of and services for gifted and talented students.

Christine L. Weber, Ph.D., is a professor of Childhood Education, Literacy, and TESOL at the University of North Florida, in Jacksonville. She has been a member of the Editorial Review Board for Gifted Child Today since 1998.

Wendy A. Behrens, M.A. Ed. is the Gifted and Talented Education Specialist for the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) where she advises educators, administrators, parents, and policymakers. She has served as director for MDE’s Javits grants: Project North Star: Training Rural Teachers, School Leaders, and Families and Communities to Support Underserved Gifted Learners and Universal Plus: A Two-Step Process for Equitably Identifying Computer Talent. Behrens is past-president of the Council of State Directors of Programs for the Gifted, and recipient of the President’s award from the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC).

Cecelia Boswell, Ed.D., De Leon, TX, was a public school teacher for migrant and gifted students, an Advanced Academics consultant for an Education Service Center, and Executive Director for Advanced Academics in an urban school district. She is an independent consultant and has provided multiple products for the Texas Education Agency, provided professional learning across the state of Texas, co-authored five books on gifted education, and has co-edited two books, Understanding Twice-Exceptional Learners: Connecting Research to Practice, and Culturally Responsive Teaching in Gifted Education: Building Cultural Competence and Serving Diverse Student Populations.