Meeting in the middle: Gifted education and middle schools working together

Dialogue and debate between gifted education advocates and proponents of the middle school philosophy prompted this research which examines the basic constructs and ideas inherent to both fields. This study analyzes gifted education models and middle school models to identify specific areas of commonality and/or conflict. Through the use of content analysis, many common and compatible areas between gifted education and middle school education are identified. The results of this study offer very positive implications for appropriately meeting the needs of all students, including gifted children, within the middle school context.