Report on the Identification of Diverse Populations in Gifted Programs in Mississippi Submitted to the Mississippi Association for Gifted Children Board of Directors MAGC Task Force: Identification of Diverse Populations among Gifted Children in Mississip

In 1998, the Mississippi Association for Gifted Children (MAGC) created a task
force to study identification practices in Mississippi. MAGC was concerned about
minority under representation in gifted programs. The task force worked to
answer the question “Is the implementation of the Mississippi referral to
placement process equitable?” Results of the study showed that it is not. The
research identified practices that some districts have used to increase minority
participation in gifted programs. The study also provided information on the
identification practices of Mississippi districts. This information showed that
districts are not doing all they can to increase minority participation in gifted
programs. Recommendations for identifying and serving more minority students
in gifted programs are made based on a study of three districts that have
experienced success in identifying minority students.