Nordic Perspectives on Gifted Education

Overview & Synopsis

This book presents current research and practice in gifted education across the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. It offers teachers, parents, researchers, and policymakers updated insights into the state of gifted education and explores how to make scientifically grounded, ethical, and pedagogically sound decisions in supporting gifted students. Nordic countries share the same values of equality and egalitarianism and aim to render good education inclusive for all the students. Yet inclusion is often understood mainly in relation to students with learning difficulties, while the needs and rights of gifted students are too often overlooked. In recent years, however, gifted education has received growing attention across the Nordic countries through increased research, funding initiatives, policy development, teacher support, and media interest. These developments are presented in the book through case studies from each of the five countries. The volume also introduces contemporary research on gifted education from both theoretical and empirical perspectives and includes international contributions that reflect on the opportunities and challenges facing Nordic policy, research, and educational practice today. The book serves as an up-to-date resource on Nordic approaches to gifted education in research, teaching, and policymaking.