S2, EP29: High Potential and Gifted Education

What do we do to support high potential and gifted students within our classroom?

High potential and gifted students are unique students in our schools that could be identified in one of the four domains. It is important as teachers and leaders that we are away of the complexities of implementing the policy and identifying these students in our schools. 

In episode 29, the Teacher Takeaway Podcast talk with Renee Robertson; a Relieving Assistant Principal who currently teaches the OC (opportunity class) at her current school; about High Potential and Gifted Education, including:

• the distinction between gifted and high performing/ high potential students
• identifying High Potential and Gifted students
• the biggest miunderstandings in how to best support these students
• best advice 
• balancing the needs of all students in the classroom
• leading a school in this space
• professional learning and reading suggestions​ ​

Professional Learning and Reading Suggestions

Download the CESE document from the NSW Department of Education website

LITERATURE REVIEW
​This literature review summarises the gifted education research base. It synthesises the best-quality available research into the learning characteristics of gifted students. It also provides summaries of the research on effective practices in gifted education for schools and teachers.
Main Findings

• Gifted students need more challenging learning with greater depth and complexity
• Gifted students are found in all social groups
• Lack of adequate challenge can contribute to social and emotional challenges
• Gifted students benefit from explicit teaching and well-structured learning
• Specific strategies are also needed to help gifted students achieve their best

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GIFTED EDUCATION PODCAST
​Join Dr Ben North, Dr Carina Dennis and Cate Stilwell as they discuss gifted education and CESE's research in this area, including the Revisiting gifted education literature review.

Click to listen to the Gifted Education Podcast from CESE

Dr Ben North is an Evidence Implementation Lead in CESE's Capability Building Team. Dr. Carina Dennis is currently the Deputy Principal at James Ruse Agricultural High School. Cate Stilwell held the position of Opportunity Class Teacher at Greenacre Public School between 2012 and 2020.

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HIGH POTENTION AND GIFTED EDUCATION POLICY - NSW DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
The High Potential and Gifted Education Policy promotes engagement and challenge for every student, regardless of background, in every school across intellectual, creative, social-emotional and physical domains. It supports every student to achieve their educational potential, through talent development opportunities and differentiated teaching and learning practices to ensure that their specific learning and wellbeing needs are met.
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Click to access the UNSW website