Gifted Advocacy: Reflections, Lessons, and Future Directions

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1965 sermon in Selma, Alabama, provided the paraphrased quote, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Gifted education has long been plagued by disparities in access and harmful and exclusionary practices (Cohen, 2022). Yet, contemporary practices strive to advance equity and inclusion to redress this harm. In this panel discussion, three social-justice-minded professionals at various junctures of their careers will detail diverse advocacy efforts in academia, K-12 schools, and politics.

The presenters will identify pathways and opportunities for continued advocacy in the United States and internationally. Families, educators, and policymakers will be empowered with increased capacity and an intimate understanding of the unique issues of gifted learners from diverse backgrounds. Moreover, all stakeholders will be better positioned as informed contributors to culturally responsive academic and support services.