A history of the gifted education movement in Oklahoma from 1969-1983 /

Abstract

Educational policy and implementation in Oklahoma cannot be separated from the legislature's involvement in oversight.

Mandated legislation for gifted and talented children was a significant milestone in the gifted and talented movement in Oklahoma. Yet, little was recorded of the movement and history of gifted education in Oklahoma. The problem of this historical study was to investigate the events, individuals, and conditions that occurred in the gifted and talented education movement in Oklahoma from 1969 to 1983. The major questions investigated were: (1) What factors contributed to mandated legislation for the gifted and talented in Oklahoma? (2) What had been done for the gifted prior to mandated legislation? (3) What were the interest groups and what part did they play in the gifted and talented movement? (4) Was there opposition to special programs for the gifted? (5) How did the media report the gifted and talented movement in Oklahoma? (6) hat did successful passage of legislation do for the gifted and talented?

Interest groups played a major role in the gifted movement in Oklahoma. Without the interest groups it is unlikely that mandated legislation would have been enacted in Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma Legislature's powers to formulate and oversee educational policy is revealed consistently in the gifted movement.

This study serves as valid research for educators, legislators, and friends of gifted education in understanding the early history, the lengthy legislative attempts, and the eventual mandated programs for gifted and talented children of Oklahoma. In order to appreciate where a program currently stands, and where it may be headed, the importance of where it has been cannot be underestimated.