Strategies

The following identification, service, and evaluation strategies may assist education professionals who want to meet the educational needs of immigrant children who are gifted.

Linguistic


1. Provide enrichment activities to students perceived "not ready" for gifted programs.
2. Institute independent or small group research projects using native language references and resources.
3. Help staff members become aware of different language structures.

Cultural

1. Explain the concept of gifted programs to parents in their native language.
2. Talk to parents in their native language to learn about aspects of giftedness valued by their culture.
3. Develop program services that are culturally sensitive and responsive.

Economic


1. Consider aspirations of the immigrant group; pay attention to variables such as the parents' occupation and education.
2. Work only from facts, assume nothing about the economic status or educational background of the family.

Attitudinal


1. Transmit a sense of self-reliance; use a biographical approach concentrating on positive aspects of problem-solving, task commitment, and decision making.
2. Encourage student involvement in publications or community programs.
3. Encourage journal writing and writing of stories and poems.
4. Provide opportunities for a peer support counseling group.

Sociocultural and Peer Group Expectations


1. Use narratives, role-playing, and bibliotherapy to model conflict resolution.
2. Identify conflicting expectations, determine the causes, and provide intervention.

Cross-Cultural


1. Increase motivation for children to identify themselves as candidates for gifted programs by referring to the gifted program as an opportunity for students to work harder and learn more.
2. Use care in selecting staff responsible for identification. If possible, select staff members who are familiar with the child's culture, country, or region.

Intergenerational


1. Use nonverbal expressive arts to involve the family.
2. Use intra/intercultural peer referral as a source of identification.
3. Involve outreach workers for parents and other family members.
4. Use media services in the native language. These services are usually available through local agencies.

School System


1. Identify or place students according to educational background and potential.
2. Interpret the child's behavior in the context of the child's experiences (Ramirez, 1988).
3. Use extracurricular activities as part of the identification process; incorporate successful activities and areas of interest into learning goals.
4. Ensure that the screening and selection committee has knowledge of creative production or performance in the respective culture. Include representative community members on selection committees. Avoid using standard identification instruments.
5. Assess from the perspective of individual learning styles.
6. Place the child in a minimal stress, "culturally congruent" (Trueba, 1983, p.412) environment and observe for a period of time.
7. Periodically, discuss attitudes and possible biases with teachers. Hold informal sessions to air problems and exchange ideas.
8. Use a developmental rather than a crisis-oriented model.

Both society and individuals benefit when a linguistically and culturally diverse population is tapped for talent potential. Problem areas must be defined in the light of specific cultures and culture differences. Attention must be directed to problem-specific techniques to ensure correct placement and opportunities for appropriately differentiated learning experiences that are culturally sensitive.