10/04/2025
Denying gifted students the services and programming they need to sustain their learning, growth and well-being is the OPPOSITE of EQUITY. New York Mayoral candidate Mamdani's proposal would result in psychological injuries to children with long lasting negative health consequences.
Mamdani's perspective is not evidence-informed. When gifted services and programs are eliminated, inequities increase. Wealthy families will still be able to purchase the services their children need. Not only will other gifted children be left behind, but many will also have additional health care bills as a result of the educational neglect.
https://apple.news/AU_-7EwBwS0iaDHiTArtmGQ
For more on the topic of gifted equity and preventing psychological injuries to gifted children, join SoulSpark Learning at the Oregon Association of Gifted and Talented (OATAG) conference next Saturday 10/11, at the Colorado Association of Gifted and Talented (CAGT) conference on 10/21, at the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) in Salt Lake City in March, or pick up a copy of "Critical Issues in Servicing Twice Exceptional Students: Socially, Emotionally, and Culturally Framing Learning Exceptionalities" (Springer, 2022).
To support advocacy efforts, here is a link to a one page document that includes talking points to promote neurodiversity affirming practices for gifted and twice-exceptional youth, inclusive of frequent microaggressions gifted youth report experiencing.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P3BH430HOnEsJTBPELHwIHny76lgkEcQMyenkbEpae8/edit?usp=sharing
Zohran Mamdani treads on dangerous ground by putting equity ahead of educational opportunity.
