Concurrent 45 min

Does it Matter What We Mean by Talent Development?

Saturday, November 15, 2025

10:15 AM - 11:00 AM ET

Location: Convention Center, 407

Grade Level: Pre-K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Postsecondary, Professionals

Jeb S. Puryear

Associate Professor of Gifted Education
University of Montana
Missoula, Montana, United States
Lindsay Lee (she/her/hers)

Founder & Director
Advanced Learning Research & Consulting, LLC
Corinth, Texas, United States

Short Description: This session explores the varied meanings of "talent development" in gifted education, highlighting four key perspectives: Bloom’s stages, Gagné’s components, Subotnik et al’s psychological science, and Renzulli’s enrichment. Recent research reveals diverse and potentially problematic interpretations of talent development linked to real-world practices. Attendees will reflect on their views and discuss implications for identification and services in gifted education.

Learning Objectives:

Understand the core differences between the diverse approaches to talent development
Consider one’s own approach to gifted education and where it falls with respect to the theories and how it affects the practice of gifted education
Identify at least one way in which practice could be made more practically and theoretically consistent with the goal of more effective advocacy for gifted education programs