Drawing Upon Lessons Learned: Effective Curriculum and Instruction for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Gifted Learners

Javits Gifted and Talented Education Program has provided a wealth of knowledge on culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) gifted learners and how to support teachers in their work with CLD students. This study examined five impactful Javits projects through qualitative inquiry centered on how innovative practice takes root or not. Using grounded theory tradition, examination of Javits project participation enabled insight into how educators act and react to innovation as well as their perceptions of CLD student impacts. Data sources (documents, conversations with principal investigators, and interviews with 14 educators) provide evidence for what sustains effective, research-based practices and explores continued student benefits. Major findings are (a) context matters in sustaining innovation, (b) powerful curriculum and instruction can transform teaching and teachers, and (c) student impacts continue. Data point to leadership as an underlying element in sustaining innovation. Leaders ensure that innovation extends from broad-based goals; they develop innovation through scale-up and involvement of others; they purposefully track results. Growing effective approaches is critical to access and opportunity and CLD-gifted learners’ talent development.