Issues
Cultivating Talent
Knowing the Issues. Getting things done.
The Excellence Project’s policy agenda includes well-researched, evidence-based interventions that have been shown to be effective.
Identification
42 percent of U.S. schools do not identify a single gifted student. Because of this, and the subjective nature of identification processes in schools that do identify, more than 3.6 million gifted students - most from disadvantaged backgrounds - do not receive access to the advanced academic programming they need to thrive.
Acceleration
Despite 100 years of research showing its effectiveness in boosting student outcomes and lifelong productivity, few schools are willing to allow students to take courses above their age-based grade level. Acceleration is a generally low cost investment with high returns. Its most common forms are: early entrance, single subject, grade skipping, and early graduation.
Course Availability
Far too many bright students lack access to the key courses they need to reach their potential. This is especially true for students attending high-poverty schools. According to the most recent federal education data, 72 percent of those schools do not offer high level math courses and 60 percent do not offer high level science courses.
Enrichment Access
In 1972, wealthy parents spent 4.2 times as much as low-income parents on their children. More than thirty years later, they spend 6.7 times as much. Research shows that allowing bright students - especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds - access to enrichment opportunities increases the likelihood that they will innovate later in life.