1. CHAPTER 15: Learners with Special Gifts and Talents
Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education
Thirteenth Edition
Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen
Developed by:
Kerri Martin
© 2014, 2012, 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved

2. Topics Definitions Prevalence of giftedness Origins of giftedness
Identification of giftedness
Psychological and behavioral characteristics
Effect of cultural values on education
Neglected groups of students
Educational considerations
Early intervention and transition
Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition.
© 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

3. Issues Affecting Definitions of Giftedness
In what ways students should excel
How giftedness is measured
To what degree must a student excel
Who should comprise the comparison group
Why students should be identified
Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition.
© 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

4. Terminology Precocity: remarkable early development
Insight: noticing most relevant information, finding novel uses
Genius: rare intellect; remarkable aptitude in some area
Creativity: expressing novel ideas; asking new, important questions
Talent: special ability, aptitude, accomplishment
Giftedness: combined cognitive superiority, creativity, and motivation resulting in something of value
Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition.
© 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

5. Common Features of State Definitions
General intellectual ability
Specific academic aptitude
Creative thinking ability
Advanced ability in fine and/or performing arts
Leadership ability
Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition.
© 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

6. Sternberg’s Conceptualization of Giftedness (1997)
Analytic giftedness: understand parts of a problem, and how they are related
Synthetic giftedness: insight, intuition, creativity, or adeptness at coping with novel situations
Practical giftedness: applying analytic and synthetic skills to solution of everyday problems
Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition.
© 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

7. Assumption of 3-5% of U.S. school population
Prevalence
Assumption of 3-5% of U.S. school population
Function of definition used
Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition.
© 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

8. Genetic and other biological factors
Origins of Giftedness
Genetic and other biological factors
Neurological functioning
Nutrition
Social factors
Family
School
Peer group
Community
Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition.
© 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

9. Features of Families of Highly Successful People
Personal interest in child’s talent
Parents were role models
Specific parental encouragement and reward
Took it for granted child would learn
Expected behaviors and values related to the talent present in home
Teaching was informal in many settings
Family interacted with tutor/mentor
Parents observed practice, instructed, rewarded
Parents sought special instruction
Encouraged participation in public events
Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition.
© 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

10. Identification of Giftedness
Commonly used methods
IQ tests
Standardized achievement test scores
Teacher or parent nominations
Peer or self nominations
Evaluation of work or performances
Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition.
© 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

11. Book title, #e Author Name
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

12. Giftedness is found at several levels
Giftedness is found at several levels. The further a person's Intelligence Quotient is from the norm of 100 IQ, the more complexities that person has. Issues are similar to those of a student with an IQ much lower than the 'average' person.
It is difficult to fit into the expectations and lifestyle of 'average' folks when the IQ becomes extreme.
Book title, #e Author Name
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

13. Book title, #e Author Name
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

14. Identification Principles to Ensure Fairness
Assessment beyond narrow concept of talent
Separate and appropriate identification strategies to identify different aspects
Reliable and valid instruments and strategies
Appropriate instruments for underserved populations
Each viewed as individual
Multiple-measure/multiple-criteria approach
Appreciation for value of case studies and limitations of scores
Identification and placement based on individual needs and abilities
Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition.
© 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

15. Psychological and Behavioral Characteristics
Predominant Stereotypes:
Physically weak, socially inept, narrow in interest, prone to emotional instability
Superior intelligence, physique, social attractiveness, achievement, emotional stability, and moral character
Misconception that genius predisposes people to mental illness
Achievement variability
Social/emotional variability
Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition.
© 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

16. Why Gifted may not be what you think
Book title, #e Author Name
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

17. Many cultures reluctant to acknowledge special gifts and talents
Cultural Values Regarding Students with Special Gifts and Talents and Their Education
All special education involves recognizing and accommodating unusual and individual differences (Kauffman & Hallahan, 2005).
Many cultures reluctant to acknowledge special gifts and talents
American society tends to be ambivalent
Loves products of giftedness; hates acknowledging superior intellectual performance
Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition.
© 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

18. Neglected Groups of Students with Special Gifts and Talents
Underachievers
Students low in socioeconomic status and in remote areas
Students from cultural- or ethnic-minority groups
Students with disabilities
Females
Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition.
© 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

19. The Stigmas of Giftedness
Book title, #e Author Name
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

21. Educational Considerations
Education should have three characteristics:
Curriculum designed to accommodate advanced cognitive skills
Instructional strategies consistent with content areas
Arrangements facilitating appropriate grouping
Acceleration
Enrichment
Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition.
© 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

22. Barriers to Early Intervention
Lack of parental advocacy
Lack of teacher training
Emphasis on older students with ability
Financial constraints
Laws preventing early admission to school
Refusal to accelerate grade level, even per subject
Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition.
© 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

23. Book title, #e Author Name
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

24. Transition to Adulthood
Tend to be aware of strengths and weaknesses
Many need personal or career counseling
Acceleration versus enrichment
Early entrance into college appears to be effective
Attention to social and personal development
Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education, Thirteenth Edition.
© 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.