Talent identification and development in Taiwan

Abstract

The rapid development of special education for the gifted in Taiwan from 1962 until the present is summarized. The comprehensive system of gifted education, using either the special class or the pull‐out model, that serve a very large number of learners is described. In Taiwan, high IQ and high overall academic performance learners are called intellectually gifted and those with specific talents in academic subjects (linguistic, mathematics, and national science, in particular), or in aesthetic or athletic domains are called talented. The identification procedure of gifted/talented students in Taiwan is very strict and systematic, based on multi‐assessment and step‐by‐step screening process. Although the number of the students served in the special programs has been steadily increasing, much remains to be done in order to develop the maximum potential of all gifted/talented students. These include proper identification procedures, program expansion and integration.