Traditional methods of gifted identification—which rely heavily on standardized IQ tests and academic achievement—can be limiting to many students.

Barriers such as anxiety, language, and cultural differences can impact test performance and lead to under-identification. A holistic approach should be considered by school districts and gifted programming coordinators to allow for diversity and equity in gifted identification. 

I recently had a very interesting conversation with an acquaintance who asked about my personal homeschool journey. During our discussion, I learned that she was considering homeschooling but felt overwhelmed by the abundance of information and resources available. When I first started, I did a lot of research—so many philosophies, methods, and ideas to explore! Eventually, I found my stride as a mix of Waldorf and traditional homeschooling. One thing I’ve learned is that choosing the right homeschool approach is highly individual—what works for one family (or even one child) might not work for another. Sometimes, different kids need different approaches within the same household!