Legislation and policy lead to action. In the absence of law or policy, situations are addressed on a case-by-case basis or they are sometimes ignored. Legislation and policy become extremely important when they relate to groups that have traditionally been marginalized, such as students with disabilities or students with gifts and talents, and…

Ten years ago, in 2001, the U.S. Congress enacted the "No Child Left behind Act" (NCLB). This landmark act focused on standards-based education with the goal of raising challenges and improving student achievement. Advocates for gifted children have been concerned over the law's silence regarding talented and high-achieving children. In…

The Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Act of 1988 provided additional funding for gifted programs and research endeavors. Scholars and educators within the field recognized its passage as a true watershed moment. Despite its unquestioned impact on the lives of countless gifted students around the country, federal lawmakers routinely…

Educators need to know the professional standards in their field to maintain high levels of professional competence. This article focuses on four sets of teacher preparation standards in gifted education. They address initial and advanced preparation of educators who teach students with gifts and talents. Initial preparation standards include the…

This article reviews federal and state initiatives regarding gifted education. It summarizes state court decisions pertaining to gifted education and cases involving federal constitutional rights and statues. State constitutional rights and statutes are discussed, along with implications of court decisions. Recommendations for parent and teacher…