Creating Equity and Access for Gifted Learners: Implementing a Problem-Based Professional Learning Experience Using the Excel Model

Creating Equity and Access for Gifted Learners provides an overview of how and why to implement the ExCEL Problem-based Learning Instruction Model as a change initiative in classrooms, and the impact that this model has had on gifted programs.

The product of evidence from two federally-funded Jacob K. Javits grants, The ExCEL Model is a systemic, design-based, continuous improvement curriculum and professional learning program that closes equity gaps for culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse students by increasing effective problem-based learning (PBL) instruction. This book will provide readers with the background, evidence, and tools necessary to implement the program model as a change initiative in their schools. Learn how to implement effective, research-grounded professional learning, demonstrate best practices, and navigate red tape and roadblocks.

Full of immediately implementable strategies and lesson examples, this book is a must have resource for district leaders, instructional leaders, and teachers ready to make their dream of implementing an equitable and effective professional learning program a reality.

Anne K. Horak, Ph.D. taught middle school and served as a K-12 administrator supervising advanced programs prior to serving as a Principal Investigator and Project Director for Project ExCEL and ExCEL-Ignite. She has written multiple book chapters, articles and contributed to the development of award-winning PBL curriculum units.

Kimberley Daly, Ph.D. serves as Coordinator for Project ExCEL-Ignite, a federally-funded grant at George Mason University seeking to identify culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse students for gifted programs through problem-based learning (PBL). Dr. Daly has 30 years of educational experience. Her research focuses on PBL, advanced academics, and global citizenship.

Shannon King, Ph.D. has worked in education for 30 years as a classroom teacher, a gifted education teacher, an instructional coach, and as an administrator. She also works as an Adjunct Professor at George Mason University, teaching courses in curriculum and instruction, assessment and differentiation, gifted education, and educational research