**Gifted Programs Could Be Shutting Out Millions of High-Performing Black and Latino Children from Low-Income Families**
Across the country, gifted programs are designed to challenge and nurture high-achieving students. However, emerging evidence suggests that these programs may be excluding millions of Black and Latino children from low-income families who demonstrate high academic potential.
Many school districts rely on identification processes that inadvertently favor students from more affluent backgrounds. Factors such as access to test preparation, parental advocacy, and early childhood educational opportunities often skew referrals and admissions to gifted programs, leaving many deserving students behind.
This raises a critical question: can districts fix their advanced education problem?
The answer lies in re-examining and reforming the identification methods for gifted programs. Some districts have started implementing universal screening tests, reducing reliance on subjective referrals, and providing additional support to underrepresented students. These changes aim to create more equitable access to advanced learning opportunities for all students, regardless of their background.
Addressing these disparities is not only a matter of fairness but also essential for tapping into the full potential of our diverse student population. By making gifted programs more inclusive, districts can help ensure that high-performing Black and Latino children from low-income families receive the educational challenges and enrichment they deserve.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/nyregion/gifted-programs-controversial.html
