Gifted and talented star

The History of Gifted Education

By SusanFinks

  • Sir Francis Galton published "Hereditary Genius."

    Sir Francis Galton published "Hereditary Genius."
    This is the first important study on the gifted.. This study of 400 men statistically showed correlation (but not causation) that intelligence is an inherited trait.

  • Binet-Simon Scale

    Binet-Simon Scale
    Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon created the first intelligence test.

  • Lewis Terman's "Genetic Studies of Genius" published.

    Lewis Terman's "Genetic Studies of Genius" published.
    Lewis Terman begins a longitudinal study on 1500 gifted children in 1921, publishing "Genetic Studies of Genius." He continues his study for 40 years.

  • Leta Hollingworth publishes "Gifted Children:Their Nature and Nurture"

    Leta Hollingworth publishes "Gifted Children:Their Nature and Nurture"
    Leta Hollingworth identified gifted children using the Simon-Binet Scale. She worked to further their education. She published the first textbook about gifted children, "Gifted Children:Their Nature and Nurture"

  • The National Association of Gifted Children is founded.

    The National Association of Gifted Children is founded.

  • Sputnik is launched.

    Sputnik is launched.
    During the Cold War between the Soviet Union and The United States, Sputnik is launched by the Soviet Union. This provoked the "Space Race" and increasing funding in the American school system to find gifted students in math and science.

  • The Marland Report

    The Marland Report
    Sydney P. Marland, Jr., US Commissioner on Education, delivered The Marland Report to Congress, formally defining giftedness.

  • Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth founded.

    Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth founded.
    Johns Hopkins University founded the Center for Talented Youth to identify gifted children, and provide accelerated coursework, summer programs, and educational travel opportunities to these students.

  • A Nation at Risk

    A Nation at Risk
    A Nation at Risk reported score comparisons of gifted children in the US to other countries. It advocated for increasing standards for gifted education.

  • Jacob Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act

    Jacob Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act
    Jacob Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act provided for research and strategies to advance gifted education as a part of the 1988 Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

  • Gifted Program Standards

    Gifted Program Standards
    The National Association for Gifted Children published Standards for Gifted Programs.