Conceptual Foundations For Gifted Education: Stock-Taking

Conceptual Foundations are the theoretical, conceptual, philosophical, and historical aspects; perspectives from outside the field; trends, issues, and future directions; and social, political, and economic facets that underlie our field. This paper attempted to capture these foundational aspects, taking stock of accomplishments and suggesting future directions. The last 16 years of Conceptual Foundations program abstracts from NAGC Conventions were analyzed quantitatively (numbers/types of presentations) and qualitatively, using grounded theory, for patterns in each of the seven Division missions. An historical overview of Division development, each of the Division's missions and how close we have come to their accomplishment, and luminous presentations were discussed. Suggestions were made for future efforts in each mission area, particularly related to more dynamic, organismic approaches.