Advocacy: “On the Cutting Edge...”

Abstract

This study details the events and circumstances thatled to the passage of a revised policy on gifted and talented education in one of the largest suburban school districts in the nation. The policy, “All students who are capable of doing so will be provided accelerated and enriched instruction,” is on the cutting edge of refonn initiatives in both general and gifted education. High-end learning opportunities became available for all students who wanted to accept the challenge. This narrative yields insight into the factors that facilitated and impeded the advocacy efforts. The story reveals the importance of key individuals, commitment, tenacity, and the necessity of a system being in place for change to occur and for advocacy events to be successful. Participants wrestled with complex issues and questions that impact the field of gifted education. These issues are raised in the final section of the text.