Programs and Practices for Identifying and Nurturing High Intellectual Abilities in Spain

Abstract

The recent educational legislation in Spain shows a great interest in enhancing the talents of all citizens. Different models of identification and intervention for students with high intellectual abilities (HIAs) coexist. The assessment model based on intelligence is still in force in the psychoeducational guidance field; however, from the research, other multidimensional and developmental models are prevalent, rethinking the nature of giftedness and talent, as well as identification and educational practices. These models consider HIA as potential in development, depending on the interrelation among neurobiological bases, personal, and environmental conditions. Efforts are being made to detect high-ability students. The most common intervention measures are the school enrichment of the curriculum, curricular adaptations, and acceleration. Several universities and some autonomous communities (i.e., school districts in the states) have organized extracurricular enrichment programs, some for longer than 10 years. The training of specialized teachers in high abilities has substantially increased, both in the Ministry of Education and autonomous local communities. Universities have also included some subjects in their programs related to this issue of gifted education with specific training designed in postgraduate courses. The research agendas of HIAs currently focus on studying metric approximation, identification and profiles, cognitive functioning and creativity, management of cognitive resources, socioemotional characteristics, gender, enrichment programs, and their effectiveness.