Does Canada Care for the Gifted Student?

Overview & Synopsis

This paper considers the importance of caring for gifted children and identifies specific challenges facing Canada as the country tries to provide caring gifted education. "Caring" is defined and the importance of modeling caring behaviors so that children learn to care for others is stressed. The paper summarizes legislation and policies concerning services to gifted learners in the various provinces. The paper then identifies and discusses specific issues affecting gifted education in Canada, including: (1) the regular education initiative and the implications for gifted education of efforts toward increased integration of students with disabilities; (2) increased focus on math and science; and (3) trends toward a noncategorical perspective on all learners with special needs (especially in British Columbia and Saskatchewan). (DB)