An Investigation of How Universal Screenings Help the Equity of Gifted and Talented Student Identification in Public Schools in the United States After the Pandemic

• In Event: AERA Graduate Student Research in Progress Roundtable Session Two
  In Roundtable Session: Explorations of Giftedness, Creativity, and Equity Mindsets (Table 7)

Abstract

The challenge of identifying gifted students in the underrepresented populations is hardly new (Frasier, 1995). This study investigates if universal screening is an effective measure to curve the proportion gap between the underrepresented groups and the represented groups in the gifted and talented identification process. Previous research finds universal screening is helpful in increasing the proportions of underrepresented groups in the gifted programs based on data from second graders in an urban school. This study examines the effect of universal screening on the population proportions in the gifted programs through nationwide state-level subgroup information pre- and post- pandemic. The discoveries bring insights on the effectiveness of universal screening in gifted and talented identification equity and the impact of the pandemic to the state gifted and talented identification process through universal screening measures.

Author

• Xiaobo Wei, University of South Carolina
  Presenting Author