Concurrent 60 min

Creating Pathways: Access and Agency for K-12 Gifted Learners in Postsecondary Opportunities

Friday, November 14, 2025

1:15 PM - 2:15 PM ET

Location: Convention Center, 329

Grade Level: 9-12, Postsecondary

Heather Vaughn (she/her/hers)

Gifted & Talented Manager
Denver Public Schools
Denver, Colorado, United States
Christina T. Dearman (she/her/hers)

Advanced Academics Coordinator
Gainsville ISD
Denton, Texas, United States
Tina Moore (she/her/hers)

Founder, Organizational Consultant
Le Butterfly EFX
Duncanville, Texas, United States

Short Description: Postsecondary education is the expected next step for gifted learners. Myth or fact? Well, it depends. Do they have access to potential college campuses through their school, home, or community? Join this session to unpack and dig into creating access and partnerships between schools/ districts and postsecondary campuses. Walk away with a tangible plan for initiating access for GT students!

Learning Objectives:

Understand the research behind low-income gifted students and university access/ outcomes to expand postsecondary pathways.
Discover a step by step process to build and promote equity and inclusion for advanced academics-post-secondary partnerships.
Connect with those with current school/district programs and make a plan catered to individual school/ district needs, while strengthening identification and academic support with sustainability.