The Big IDEA: The Complexities of Gifted and Special Education

This course introduces students to the historical foundations, policy framework, efficacy research, and ongoing controversies in gifted and special education. Gifted and special education are hot-button policy issues and affect the experiences of all students in U.S. schools. In the U.S., 15% of students receive special education services, and 6% receive gifted education services. Some of these students are educated with their peers, and some are educated in school settings that can cost over $500,000 relative to an average spending of $17,000 per pupil nationally. There are many complex issues related to gifted and special education. At the end of this course, students will have a deep understanding of gifted and special education and be positioned to continue engaging on these issues in future studies. The course requires no prior knowledge.