Gifted 101 Series: Giftedness Across Cultures & Equity in Identification

Giftedness exists in every community—but too often, students from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds are overlooked in gifted programs. Giftedness Across Cultures & Equity in Identification (Guide #8 in the Gifted 101 Series) explores the systemic barriers that prevent many gifted learners from being recognized. This free guide provides insights, research, and practical strategies to help educators and parents ensure that all gifted students have equitable access to the support they deserve.

What’s Inside:

• An overview of giftedness across cultures and why opportunity, not ability, drives underrepresentation
• Common barriers, including:
• Cultural and linguistic bias in standardized testing
• Limited access to early enrichment opportunities
• Misconceptions about what giftedness “looks like”
• Under-identification of 2E students and students from underrepresented groups
• Consequences of narrow identification, including inequity, under-challenge, and lost potential
• Equity-focused practices, such as universal screening, local norms, and broader identification methods
• Guidance for educators, parents, and schools to advocate for fair access

Why It Helps:

• Brings attention to systemic inequities in gifted education
• Offers actionable steps to create inclusive identification practices
• Helps ensure that gifted learners from all backgrounds are recognized and supported

How to Use It:

• In professional development to build teacher and staff awareness
• As a parent resource for understanding advocacy and equity issues
• To guide district and school conversations around gifted identification practices

Equity isn’t about lowering the bar—it’s about widening the gate so every gifted child has the chance to thrive.