Neag School educational psychology faculty have secured more than $5 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Education\u2019s Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act for two new research projects centered on gifted education.<\/p>\n
Advanced Math Instruction for Gifted Students According to the researchers, the most popular model today for servicing gifted students is known as \u201cpullout\u201d programming; however, most of these\u00a0programs do not provide advanced instruction in math.\u00a0Project BUMP UP will look to supplement\u00a0existing\u00a0pullout programs with \u201cpush-in\u201d programming that\u00a0emphasizes advanced math instruction; three types of training will be provided to gifted specialists and classroom teachers.<\/p>\n The goal of the study is fourfold:<\/p>\n \u201cWe are excited about this opportunity to test a new model for providing gifted education services,\u201d says Siegle, who also serves as director of the National Center for Research on Gifted Education<\/a>, which also is funded by the Javits program. \u201cThis research has the potential to involve more students from underserved populations and increase mathematics achievement.\u201d<\/p>\n Supporting Academically Talented Students on the Autism Spectrum<\/strong> \u201cWe need research to help these talented students, and to better inform their parents and teachers about how to help them develop their talents, and attend and complete college.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2014 Sally Reis, Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\n<\/strong>Launched on Oct. 1, Project Building Up Mathematics Proficiency Utilizing Push-In (Project BUMP UP) is led by principal investigator Del Siegle<\/a>, Neag School professor and associate dean for research and faculty affairs. With $2.8 million in funding over five years, the Neag School will be working with partner researchers at the College of William and Mary to implement programming focused on advanced math instruction for more than 400 students in Grades 4 and 5 across 30 schools. Professors E. Jean Gubbins<\/a> and D. Betsy McCoach<\/a> are serving as co-principal investigators.<\/p>\n\n
\nIn addition, UConn Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor and Letitia Neag Morgan Chair in Educational Psychology Sally Reis<\/a> is serving as principal investigator on another Neag School research project funded by Javits. Project Twice Exceptional With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Project 2e-ASD), supported by a $2.6 million grant over five years, will focus on academically talented students with autism who are traditionally underserved in gifted programs.<\/p>\n