Speed 30 min

Using Subject Acceleration to Support Talent Development

Friday, November 14, 2025

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM ET

Location: Convention Center, 304/305

Grade Level: Pre-K-2, 3-5,6-8

WB

Wendy A. Behrens, MA Ed (she/her/hers)

Gifted and Talented Education Consultant/State Director
Minnesota Department of Education
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Ann Lupkowski-Shoplik, PhD

Administrator, Acceleration Institute and research
University of Iowa Belin-Blank Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Short Description: Discover how subject acceleration can nurture talent development in students. Presenters will provide a new rubric for evaluating subject acceleration procedures, offering practical guidance for implementing defensible and effective strategies. By analyzing sample procedures and discussing their strengths and weaknesses, participants will be prepared to examine their district’s subject acceleration practices and present suggestions for improvement to decision-makers and educators.

Gifted Coordinator Track - Sponsored by National Inventors Hall of Fame

Learning Objectives:

Participants will gain a thorough understanding of the characteristics of exemplary, evidence-based subject acceleration procedures. They will understand how subject acceleration can bring a diverse population into the gifted education.
Evaluation Skills: Participants will develop the ability to analyze and evaluate subject acceleration procedures using a provided rubric. They will be able to identify strengths and weaknesses in these procedures.
Application of Best Practices: Participants will learn how to apply sample procedures to their school district practices, preparing them to share findings and suggestions for improvement with decision-makers and educators.