Programs for gifted and talented education should be guided by research-based practices, but states’ policies vary in their recommendations for programming, and in how they hold local education agencies accountable for implementing those recommendations. State plans for gifted and talented education rely on the voluntary compliance of districts to implement policies meeting students’ advanced academic needs and providing opportunities for talent development. State plans for gifted education may outline expectations, but leave much about the implementation up to districts. Even within a state, gifted education services vary widely across districts and individual schools. This research identified 11 state plans for gifted education that included guidance on identification, curriculum, service options, professional development, and program evaluation. Through thematic analysis, eight primary themes and three secondary themes were identified, which demonstrate the necessity of ongoing program evaluation balancing the need for standardization with the need to adapt policies to fit local contexts.

天才教育计划应以研究为基础的实践为指导，但各州的政策在其计划建议以及他们如何让当地教育机构对实施这些建议负责方面有所不同。国家天才教育计划依靠各地区自愿遵守政策来实施满足学生先进学术需求和为人才发展提供机会的政策。州天才教育计划可能会概述期望，但将更多的实施留给地区。即使在一个州内，不同地区和不同学校的资优教育服务也存在很大差异。这项研究确定了 11 项州资优教育计划，其中包括对鉴定、课程、服务选择、专业发展和计划评估的指导。