In 2018, when Quebec was seriously behind in terms of recognition of the diversity of potential in our schools and policies in favor of the educational success of gifted students, I formulated, in these same columns, “ideas so that the giftedness remains an opportunity1 “.
Different avenues so that our little ones and curious young people are better supported: courses on giftedness offered in universities to train the next generation and the hiring of specialists by educational organizations.
Since June 2020, it’s been done! Following the document Act to promote the educational success of gifted students2, the government of Quebec has made special budgets available until June 2024 so that in each school environment, gifted children have access to services and educational opportunities. But were you aware of this measure for children with manifestations of giftedness?3 ?
If in 2018 I signed my text with a single voice as there were so few of us working in the field, today there are dozens of colleagues co-signing this letter: members of associations, education professionals and academics. Together, we are committed to wanting to change the status quo in education and to act in favor of equity, potential and prevention.
Giftedness and the development of talent are exciting areas in which myths, beliefs and opinions unfortunately take up a lot of space in teaching practice as soon as university research, educational policies and collaborations with the community decline.
In Quebec, we have already experienced this: a game of “snakes and ladders” which, depending on the times and policies, penalizes or favors our gifted young people. In the 1990s-2000s, we were stuck in a scientific Middle Ages on this subject while other countries were progressing in terms of knowledge on the inclusion of all learner profiles: from those who need more support to those who need more challenge.
A rung on the ladder
To avoid a new “snake” for our children, and while the 2024-2025 Quebec budget has just been revealed, will the political commitment of the last four years be renewed? Will we offer a new rung on the ladder of educational success for our gifted young people?
When we know that giftedness represents between 2% and 10% of the population, this suggests that between 28,000 (2%) and 141,000 (10%) young people could qualify for services for gifted students. With an annual budget of 9.61 million, we will quickly note the difference per child that this represents: $339/child for 2% of students or $67/child for 10% of students. Personally, I don’t set the same annual goals if my budget varies from one to five times!
While progress has been clearly identifiable since 2020, there is still progress to be made to raise awareness and adequately apply this measure.
As Marie-Eve Morasse raised in April 2023 in “What are the 30 million for gifted students?4 “, it would be important to be able to collect data on the measurement of giftedness within educational organizations (acceleration, enrichment, groupings) in order to ensure alignment between vision, needs and means. Rather consistent with Minister Bernard Drainville’s determination to be able to access data for better decision-making, isn’t it?
So, so that giftedness remains an opportunity, let us encourage our government to place more ladders than snakes in the educational path of our gifted young people. Committed leadership from the Ministry of Education, the continuation of the giftedness measure as well as support from the communities to better structure it would make it possible to continue to create opportunities.
* Main co-signatories: Frédéric Dénommée, educational advisor in giftedness; Nancy Hovington, gift counselor; and Valérie Laramée, educator specializing in giftedness
*See the full list of co-signers
1. Read “Ideas and tips to keep giftedness an opportunity!” »
2. View the document Act to promote the educational success of gifted students
3. No psychological or neuropsychological assessment is necessary to access services in the public network.
4. Read “What is the 30 million for gifted students?” »
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reference: www.lapresse.ca