Finding Gifted Learners Through Language Barriers – Through Project EAGLE, UConn researchers are working to identify gifted math students among English Language learners.

“Dr. Renzulli’s lifetime of pioneering research has led to substantial, positive changes in the theory and practice of pedagogy for all.” Mensa Foundation President Charlie Steinhice said. “But what impresses me the most is his dedication to putting those ideas into action, especially for low-income students with high potential.”

Renzulli is professor of educational psychology at the University of Connecticut, where he also serves as director of the National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented. His definition suggests that “giftedness” consist of three characteristics in equal parts: intelligence, creativity and perseverance.

D.C. turned to the Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM), used in more than 4,000 schools nationwide, and internationally. Joseph Renzulli and Sally Reis, professors at the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education, created their model to help diversify accelerated classes and gifted programs by encouraging school systems to broaden their concept of giftedness and ferret out student potential beyond what’s measured by standardized tests. The method assesses qualities such as motivation, curiosity, empathy, creativity and self-regulation, and exposes young students to a wide range of enriching experiences to discover what excites them.

The most straightforward definition of “giftedness” is one outlined by Joseph Renzulli, distinguished professor at the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education. Renzulli’s concept is that genuine giftedness in any sphere of activity requires three characteristics: Above-average abilities, creativity (which includes fluency, flexibility and originality of thought) and, probably most importantly, task commitment that can be observed as perseverance, endurance and sometimes a special fascination with a particular subject or topic.

Attendees for the 40th annual Confratute conference were welcomed by Joe Renzulli and Sally Reis. Welcome remarks also featured Education Commissioner Dianna Wentzell and Dean Gladis Kersaint of the Neag School of Education.

Neag alumna Kate Maupin ’08 recently won the 2015 International Book Award (IBA) for her first book, Cheating, Dishonesty & Manipulation: Why Bright Kids Do It (Great Potential Press, 2015). Beating out 1,200 entries from around the world, she captured the top prize in the education/academic category, revealing how “more than 80 percent of bright students self-reported that they had not only cheated in an academic setting, but also had never been caught.”

Del Siegle’s book “The Underachieving Gifted Child: Recognizing, Understanding, and Reversing Underachievement” provides educators and parents with a comprehensive overview of why bright students may underachieve, as well as how teachers can make lessons more engaging. Written in straightforward, easy-to-understand language, the book is available in paperback and electronic form.

For the past 35 years, Storrs, Connecticut, has attracted more than 20,000 worldwide educators for a highly acclaimed, enrichment-based program sponsored by the Neag Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development.  The week-long program is geared toward providing educators with research-based, practical strategies for engagement and enrichment learning for all students, as well as meeting […]

The brightly lit room was buzzing. Groups of three or four children, all fourth graders, sat or stood around small tables, trying mightily to create an electromagnetic current that would lift more and more paper clips.  Their teacher, Freddie DeJesus, wandered from table to table, sitting and chatting and making suggestions to help move each […]