All for One and One for All: 2013 NAGC Presidential Address

This article presents highlights from the Presidential Address, "All for One and One for All," by Tracy L. Cross, current president of the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), at the 60th annual convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, November 7-10, 2013. He congratulates Indiana as having one of the richest histories of any state pertaining to gifted education and being one of several state universities that contribute significantly by preparing school personnel to work with students with gifts and talents. Indiana has also been very active in conducting research and providing programs for the students directly. President Cross based his talk on three stipulations. Stipulation 1: "The degree of need to assist students with gifts and talents vastly outweighs the best efforts of individuals or small groups," Stipulation 2: "Gifted students are the most heterogeneous group to study because they can vary the most on the most variables," and Stipulation 3: "Students with gifts and talents today attend school at a time when the United States is struggling." President Cross' address expanded that the challenge is in figuring out how to bring together all of the necessary groups who work on behalf of students with gifts and talents: teachers, counselors, parents, professors, legislators, administrators, psychologists, schools of education, and the gifted students themselves. The key to success is to recognize the diversity of all the gifted children and build the collaborations necessary to meet the level of need. The scope of need is so great and the readiness of the United States is in doubt. The President asks: What should we do? Then replies: We can collaborate, form alliances, work together, and work smarter with specific end results in mind. And always keep the needs of the students with gifts and talents in front of us. What prevents or discourages the collaboration within and across groups? Indifference, competition, within-group cultures, and differing incentives are just a few examples. This article contains additional remarks from the NAGC President.