Michigan Alliance for Gifted Education

The Michigan Alliance for Gifted Education is dedicated to the proposition that quality education provides equity of educational services for all students to learn and grow at rates and levels commensurate with their abilities.

Philosophical Basis of Education for High Level Learners

Gifted education has a philosophical base derived from general educational philosophy in the United States. Major tenets of this philosophical base include the following:

• • Each individual has a right to an education which fits his or her needs and to have adequate opportunities to develop talents or abilities to their fullest.

• • Our society needs the contributions of individuals to lead, solve problems, and create a better environment.
• • Programs for high level learning uncover, encourage, nurture, and maximize the abilities and talents of young children and adolescents.

A Definition of Giftedness (High Level Learning)

Giftedness refers to a set of behaviors exhibited in individuals who are performing or who show potential for performing at unusually high levels for their age, experience, or environment. These individuals have abilities, talents, and potential which require differentiated educational programs/services. Gifted behaviors are present in individuals across all cultural groups, in all economic strata, and in all areas of human endeavor. (USDOE, 1993)

We believe that:

• •curriculum and instruction that meets the needs of high level learners modifies the depth, complexity, and pacing of the general school program.
• • providing appropriate high level learning environments that reinforce the strengths, needs, and interests of high level learners requires flexibility in grouping, curriculum design, and viable program options that provide a learning continuum and include full or part-time programs for high level learners.
• • schools must have access to knowledgeable and qualified individuals to help design, implement and evaluate appropriate options and curricula for high level learning.
• • preservice and inservice training opportunities appropriate for teaching high level learners should be provided for all teachers and others working with high level learners.
• • local, state and federal policies are necessary to support and implement appropriate, equitable, high level learning options and services.
• • partnerships and networks based on the cooperation, collaboration, and commitment of parents, schools and communities are essential for the development and maintenance of quality programs that respond to the needs of high level learners.