Million Dollar Question: What is the Most Effective and Equitable Way to Deliver Services to Advanced Learners?

Abstract

School district administrators must address structural racism and inequitable access to advanced learning opportunities in their school districts. District administrators in one large district in the northwestern part of the United States sought research-based advice by asking the authors to provide the answer to the “million-dollar” question, “ What is the most effective and equitable way to deliver services to advanced learners?” This paper shares the response provided to the school district and discusses the complexity of the question. Based on a systematic literature review of best practices in the field of gifted education, we share our findings in three categories: (1) administrative structures, (2) pedagogy of gifted education, and (3) social and emotional considerations for advanced learners. We conclude by offering recommendations drawn from this review to develop a holistic view of programming and serving all students with advanced academic needs.