The Schoolwide Enrichment Program

Lampiran 2.01

Milestones in the development of Gifted Education in the USA

1959- The launching of the space ship Sputnik by the Soviet Union The launched caused alarm and anxiety amongst the American people right up to the legislators. They felt that the American curriculum especially for Science and Mathematics is inadequate and inferior to the Russians. The education system was heavily criticized and regarded as a failure. In the aftermath of the launching, gifted program gained momentum because it was assumed that the program is the savior of American pride. 1972- The publication of the Marland Report by the US Commission of Education. The report emphasized the need for special programs for the gifted and talented. As a result of this report schools all over the country were competing to establish gifted program so as to qualify for the large grant given to schools with such a program. 1983- The publication of A Nation At Risk by the National Commission on Excellence in Education. This report criticized heavily the educational system of the United States of America for the failure to overcome the problem of at risk students despite large amount of public money spent on education. The Report suggested educational reform involved the abolishment of grouping, gifted program and any other elitist educational system. With the publication of this report the position enjoyed by gifted program in schools is threatened. Post 1983Educationist in the US lobbied for the continued presence of gifted program in schools. To a certain extent, they were successful but the large grant given before was reduced. Schools are now forced to trim down the gifted program or seek funding elsewhere.

SM/BPM/03

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