National Association for Gifted Children and Council of State Directors of Programs for the Gifted Release Latest Edition of State of the States in Gifted Education

The National Association for Gifted Children, (NAGC) in collaboration with the Council of State Directors of Programs for the Gifted (CSDPG), are pleased to announce the release of the 2020-21 edition of the States of the States in Gifted Education report.

The State of the States is the only broad study of state data on gifted education in the United States and provides a detailed look at the funding, identification, range of services, and policies that support K-12 gifted and talented education. The report includes responses from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Department of Defense, making it the most inclusive report to date.

“The CSDPG leadership believes the State of the States report is critically important for CSDPG, NAGC, and the larger gifted community,” said CSDPG President-elect Mark Schwingle. “The overall findings show that throughout the country there are differing approaches to gifted and talented education, a range of funding methods, and a variety of ways in which states are attempting to interrupt inequitable practices, so all students’ learning needs are being met,” Schwingle continued. “This report ultimately serves as a powerful tool to better understand the gifted and talented education models that exist in schools across the U.S., the progress that has been made, and the work that remains to improve outcomes and opportunities for all students,” he concluded.

Educators across the country experienced myriad challenges during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. Highlights of the report include some of the first insights into how the pandemic specifically impacted gifted and talented education.

The report also presents new data on the initiatives that some states are taking to address equity in gifted education. While these steps are largely encouraging, NAGC understands a significant amount of work remains to be done to close the excellence gaps that continue to impact historically marginalized and underserved gifted children.

“NAGC is excited to release this latest edition of the States of the States report,” said NAGC President Dr. Lauri Kirsch. “The data inside is not only useful to understand how far we’ve come in terms of expanding access for bright children to gifted services but provides incredibly valuable insight on where we need to go from here,” she concluded.

NAGC has pledged to continue to publish the State of the States report and take the nation’s pulse regarding state support for gifted and talented education. The Association expects national and state leaders will use this essential information to create a strong and equitable system of support for gifted learners. The report will continue to be a useful resource for leaders seeking to advance gifted and talented education across the country and a vital tool for advocates to increase support for gifted learners. Working together, supporters of gifted and talented education can achieve the vision of all children having the opportunities and support to realize their full potential.

A free copy of the 2020-21 State of the States in Gifted Education can be found online here.

Download a copy of the full press release here