Out-of-school Educational Provision for the Gifted and Talented around the World

Prof Joan Freeman

Report for the Department of Education and Skills (UK)

www.joanfreeman.comFree on

Gifts and talents – a world overview

USA

UK

INDIA

CHINA

A profound world split in attitudes to gifts and talent

The Western view

Only some children have gifted

potential

The Eastern view

Most children have gifted potential

Cultural differences in gifts and talents

WESTEASTBeing

Truthfulness, generosity,

compassion, sacrifice and service to society

Doing

Competitive achievement, often

in academic subjects rather than community

values

Though there is overlap …

The Western view Genetic influences

dominant

Human abilities measurable along a spectrum

Selection by high cut-off point

The Eastern view Environmental influences

dominant

Main difference between individuals is rate of development

Good teaching and hard work bring success

Regional contrasts

Australia and New Zealand

Japan and China

Israel and the Arab and African world

Europe North and South

USA, Canada and South America

Five styles of out-of-school education

1. The Talent Search

2. Self selection by provision

Freeman’s Sports Approach

3. Hard Work

4. Competitions

5. Voluntary provision

Principle Highly achieving youngsters selected by teacher recommendation, portfolios and tests for extra education

Predominant countries

USA, Australia, Israel, UK, HK

Assumptions Gifted children can be distinguished and nurtured in bursts

1. The talent search

The talent search

Center for Talented Youth

CTY

Baltimore USA

Pros Those selected receive excellent extra education and probably improved life-chances

Cons May miss youngsters of equal potential. Expensive per student. Not enough; not sustained.

Outcomes No distinct results. Confused by high proportion of well-off students

No comparison between programmes.

The talent search summary

Out-of-School Education for Gifts and Talents

1. The Talent Search

2. Self selection by provision

Freeman’s Sports Approach

3. Hard Work

4. Competitions

5. Voluntary provision

Principle Open provision and child-led learning enables excellence

Predominant countries

China, ex-Soviet Union, New Zealand

Assumptions Children’s interests allied with opportunities enables excellence

2. Self selection by provision

Children’s Palaces in China

Self selection by provision

Pros No child barred by tests or money

Many facilities already available

Need not be expensive

Freeman’s Sports Approach

Cons Without concerted organisation, provision could be patchy

Outcomes Difficult to pin-point, but Far Eastern successes in international competitions are increasingly outstanding

Self selection by provision summary

Out-of-School Education for Gifts and Talents

1. The Talent Search

2. Self selection by provision

Freeman’s Sports Approach

3. Hard Work

4. Competitions

5. Voluntary provision

Principle Success depends on hard work of both child and teacher

Predominant countries

The Far East, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan

Assumptions Each child starts with similar potential

3. Hard work

Pros Child, teacher and parent work together. Supported by research evidence

Cons Pressure and work-load on the child can be heavy, cutting into creativity and leisure

Outcomes Educational surveys show Far Eastern success outstanding

Hard work summary

Out-of-School Education for Gifts and Talents

1. The Talent Search

2. Self selection by provision

Freeman’s Sports Approach

3. Hard Work

4. Competitions

5. Voluntary provision

Principle Voluntary aim for prizes and prestige

Can be inexpensive to run

Predominant countries

Germany, Eastern Europe, and many other parts of the world.

Assumptions Gifts and talents are associated with competitiveness

4. Competitions

Pros Open to all and attractive. Easily controlled and relatively inexpensive

Cons No concern for educational context

Requires competitive spirit

Non-winners miss out on extra help

Standards can vary

Outcomes

Prizes can improve life chances e.g. in music or chess

Competitions summary

Out-of-School Education for Gifts and Talents

1. The Talent Search

2. Self selection by provision

Freeman’s Sports Approach

3. Hard Work

4. Competitions

5. Voluntary provision

Principle Concerned adults provide extra education for bright children

Predominant countries

Everywhere in the world

Assumptions The official educational system is not providing adequately for the gifted and talented

5. Voluntary provision

Pros Access to activities usually open.

A force for positive changes to national systems

Cons Not always in concert with schools.

Not concerned with children whose parents are not members

Provision can be amateur

Outcomes Quality and outcomes unknown

Voluntary provision summary

Where would you send these individuals?

We know that high level achievement needs -

Plentiful learning materials

High quality teaching

Plenty of practice

Example to follow

Emotional support

Potential

Provision – a holistic approach

WESTEAST

Avoids the

DOMINANCEof ways of thinking

Communication – the key

WESTEAST

Internationalunderstanding

Knowledge sharingNetworking

Conferences