Purpose
Program Office: Academic Improvement and Teacher Quality Programs
CFDA Number: 84.206A
Program Type: Discretionary/Competitive Grants
The purpose of the Javits program is to carry out a coordinated program of scientifically based research, demonstration projects, innovative strategies, and similar activities designed to build and enhance the ability of elementary and secondary schools to meet the special educational needs of gifted and talented students.
The major emphasis of the program is on serving students traditionally under represented in gifted and talented programs, particularly economically disadvantaged, limited English proficient, and disabled students, to help reduce the serious gap in achievement among certain groups of students at the highest levels of achievement.
Program Background
The Jacob K. Javits Program includes the following:
Grants
Shift of Focus: In FY 2002, under the reauthorization of the ESEA (the No Child Left Behind Act), absolute priorities were established to encourage activities that contribute to an understanding of the most effective ways to educate gifted and talented students who are economically disadvantaged, limited English proficient, or who have disabilities. This shift in focus builds upon the outcomes of nearly 125 demonstration programs and practices for educating talented students nationwide since the inception of the Javits program in 1989. Absolute Priorities: Grants are awarded under two priorities. Priority One supports initiatives to develop and "scale-up" models serving students who are under-represented in gifted and talented programs. Priority Two supports state and local efforts to improve services for gifted and talented students.
Leadership
The Javits program provides information and technical assistance to grantees for improving education for students with outstanding talents. For example, conferences, seminars, and meetings are held for State-level staff responsible for gifted and talented education, grant recipients, and leading researchers and practitioners. These gatherings help broaden and deepen the understanding of gifted and talented education throughout the nation.
Research
The Javits program funds the National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented located at the University of Connecticut at Storrs, in collaboration with the University of Virginia, Yale University, and Columbia University. The consortium includes over 360 public and private schools, 337 school districts, 52 State and territorial departments of education, and a consultant bank of 167 researchers associated with 86 universities throughout the United States and Canada.
The Center conducts and analyzes research to develop information needed to meet the educational needs of gifted and talented students. The Center is a comprehensive research resource for schools looking for better, more effective ways to identify and help gifted and talented students from populations traditionally underserved and underrepresented in gifted and talented programs. The Center regularly publishes research results under project components designed to answer the following basic questions:
What are the most effective ways of identifying, nurturing, and developing the many talents of students from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds?
How can programs developed for gifted and talented students be used to improve the education of all students within a school?
How can researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and others work together to design and conduct research and ensure that it informs policy and practice?
