Georgia Association for Gifted Children Conference Proposal

Caitlin Lemieux

Title: Talent Development in Practice Across the State of Georgia

Audience: Teachers, University Students, Administrators

Conference description (75 words):

Experience members of the GAGC Coalition for Access and Equity discuss data collected

regarding talent development programs in education systems across Georgia. Utilizing survey

responses from school personnel, the coalition will observe specific strategies, methods, and uses

of talent development as they relate to gifted education. Join us for a debriefing on Talent

Development, and suggestions for implementing the program into general education coursework.

Based on the most recent feedback from schools, the coalition will discuss the crucial nature of

talent development programs in facilitating an equitable environment which gives each student

access to challenging coursework.

Main Description (250 words):

Talent Development Programs are a generally new concept in Georgia Public Schools.

These programs allow students to recognize and/ or build upon preexisting talents in the school

environment, as well as work towards their highest possible degree of success. Talent

Development initiatives are culturally responsive, and provide each student with access to

rigorous coursework, challenging material, and individualized content. As there is no set

standard, goals, or frameworks for Talent Development, the GAGC Coalition for Access and
Equity delivered surveys to public schools across the state of Georgia in the hopes of working

towards universal parameters for Talent Development Programming. It is the goal of the

coalition to build a strong foundational understanding of Talent Development in schools, and to

help develop better strategies and methods for fostering these skills in students.

In response to this, the GAGC Coalition for Equity and Access came together to develop

a survey for schools across Georgia. This survey prompted information regarding the nature,

frequency, content, funding, and facilitation of Talent Development Programs. Relevant school

personnel completed one to two surveys according to initial responses. These responses have

been compiled and interpreted in order to produced a general understanding of Talent

Development programs and resources, as well as their implementatpn across Georgia.