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Friday, October 14, 2016
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

 

 

8:00 am // Continental breakfast

8:15  am // Welcome and agenda

8:45 am // Session 1:   

HIGH-POTENTIALITY 101

Ann Deneroff and Dr. Leslie Hosey

We will begin our day with a quick survey of the history of gifted and talented education in Michigan. We will then turn our attention to the wide world of gifted education, introducing definitions, themes, and views on what does it mean to be gifted, including the holistic perspective advanced at The Roeper School. 

9:45 am // Session 2:   

UNIQUE CHALLENGES OF BEING BRIGHT, TALENTED & BLACK

Dr. Joy Lawson Davis

The multifaceted world of being gifted and talented and African American can be extremely challenging, as the issues they face can be different from those faced by other gifted children. In addition to the challenges that are frequently experienced by many gifted children, such as underachievement and idealism, Black gifted students often have to navigate multiple worlds, have to prove themselves worthy of the gifted label, often must also deal with issues like implicit bias and low expectations. In her presentation, Dr. Joy Lawson Davis will discuss these issues and offer practical information for serving these bright, talented youngsters based on her personal experience as a parent and a gifted education professional.

10:45 am // Session 3:

SOCIO-EMOTIONAL ASPECTS OF LOW-INCOME AND CULTURALLY DIVERSE GIFTED LEARNERS

Dr. Tracy Cross

Each child, regardless of ability, has his/her own personality characteristics that lead to certain social and emotional needs. In addition, each child has needs that arise because of the situation or environment in which he/she lives. Children with high abilities, however, may have additional affective needs resulting from their increased capacity to think beyond their years, greater intensity in response, combinations of unique interests, personality characteristics, and conflicts that are different from those of their age mates. For low-income and culturally diverse gifted children, these characteristics, combined with the additional stress of prejudice, discrimination, and severely reduced opportunity, makes it even more critical that parents, educators, and policy-makers gain a better understanding of these children, from the inside-out.

11:30 am // Session 4:

GIFTED EDUCATION AS A VEHICLE FOR ENHANCING SOCIAL EQUALITY AND A MATTER OF CIVIL RIGHTS

A Conversation between Dr. Don Ambrose and Dr. Jennifer Riedl Cross

Income inequality in the United States ranks at its highest level since the Gilded Age. Poverty and inequality distort perceptions of giftedness while suppressing talent development. What role can gifted education policy and practice play in enhancing socioeconomic equality and how can a focus on high-potential students advance the cause of civil rights for all?

12:15 pm // Lunch Break

(Lunch to be provided)

12:45 pm // Session 5:

VOICES OF STUDENTS

Moderated by Dr. Robert Schultz

A panel of current and former Detroit students will offer various reflections on their experience as "smart" kids in and out of school.

1:30  pm // Session 6:  

OVERLOOKED GEMS:  GIFTED STUDENTS IN POVERTY

Dr. Joyce Van Tassel-Baska

How might we best identify promising students of poverty and provide appropriate services and interventions for them? Dr. Van Tassel-Baska will discuss the latest research regarding students of poverty, both gifted and non-gifted.  Findings from the book, Overlooked Gems, a monograph from the National Association for Gifted Children and the College of William and Mary, is highlighted. Only a handful of research-based curricula and special programs have been shown to increase academic gains for promising students of poverty.  This session focuses on the features these curricula have in common and how educators can incorporate them into their programs and services.  Unique characteristics and learning needs of promising students of poverty will also be shared.  

2:45 pm // Session 7:  

PROMISING WORK IN DETROIT

Moderated by Dr. Joan Firestone

A panel of Detroit educators will share information about some promising, innovative work currently happening in Detroit and how their work aligns with and advances the realization of their students' potential.

3:30  pm // Session 8:

BREAK-OUT SESSIONS

Symposium participants will meet in small guided group discussions to reflect on the material presented, how it impacted their perspective on high-potential children and their needs, and how they might want to collaborate on expanding opportunities for this population to achieve their full-potential.

4:15  pm // Next steps

4:30  pm // Concludes

OUR PROGRAM

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