Educating the gifted in Brazil: analysis from a learning-resource perspective

Abstract

Gifted education in Brazil presents some characteristics due to the reality of South American countries. This study aims to describe the current situation of the programs for the gifted in Brazil from the Education and Learning Capital Model (ELCM) perspective. The procedure utilized was the analysis of documents and publications and an online survey. The participants were 51 educators and psychologists (84% F) from different Brazilian regions, ages 28 to 69 (Mean= 40), working in private (40%), public institutions (90%), and non-governmental organizations (10%). The results indicated positive aspects of exogenous learning capitals reflected in legislation that guarantees rights at the Federal, State, and Municipal spheres for gifted children and special programs at universities for high school and college students. However, there are main challenges from the endogenous Learning Resource, which focus on academic skills and disregard other aspects of physical health. Political discontinuities and societal myths block the advancement of programs for the Brazilian gifted, so information to clarify these children’s rights in society is a priority.

Keywords:

• High ability
• talent
• gifted
• South America
• educational policies

REVIEWING EDITOR:

• Sadiq Ismail, United Arab Emirates University, United Arab Emirates

SUBJECTS:

• Testing, Measurement and Assessment
• Cognitive Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Educational Psychology
• Mental Health
• Teachers & Teacher Education
• Inclusion and Special Educational Needs
• School Psychology
• Educational Psychology

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the collaboration of the National Council for the Gifted (ConBraSD) on the data collection for this research and the important suggestions to this manuscript given by Dr. Albert Ziegler.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data reported in this study will be available in contact with the authors.

Author note

The authors are members of ConBraSD- Brazilian Gifted Council, which is a non-governmental organization that brings together experts and researchers with the aim of analyzing current practices for identifying and caring for gifted individuals.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Solange Muglia Wechsler

Solange Muglia Wechsler has a PhD in educational psychology from the University of Georgia (Athens, USA) and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Torrance Center of Creative Studies. She is the founder of the Brazilian Association of Creativity and Innovation (CRIABRASILIS).

Vera Lucia Palmeira Pereira

Vera Lucia Palmeira Pereira has a master’s degree in Education and is a consultant for the National Education Council of the Ministry of Education.

Cristina Maria Carvalho Delou

Cristina Maria Carvalho Delou has a PhD in Education. She is currently the president of ConBraSD and represents the area of giftedness at the National Commission for Special Education.