Position Statements
ITAG Position StatementS:
The unchanging mission of the Iowa Talented and Gifted Association (ITAG) is to support the needs of talented and gifted youth through advocacy, education, and networking. We believe that ALL gifted and talented students have the right to learn and grow without harm or fear of prejudice—and that professional organizations have a responsibility to speak up when vulnerable populations of students are at risk.
Iowa Talented and Gifted continues to support the idea that gifted and talented programs should represent the wide range of cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic groups found across our state. Reversing the underrepresentation of Black, Indigenous, and Hispanic students in our gifted programs is a fair and ethical practice which requires analysis, deliberation, and commitment.
Read more detailed information in a position statement from the National Association for Gifted Children.
Additionally, Iowa Talented and Gifted continues to support the civil rights and human dignity of transgender people - both students and teachers. Any policies that remove civil rights create a divisive atmosphere in our schools and puts youth at greater risk of harm from others and from themselves.
To help others understand why LGBTIQA+ talented and gifted youth are at risk when their
social-emotional needs are not met and why it is ethically imperative to support gifted students
with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, please refer to these position statements
composed by the National Association for Gifted Children:
NURTURING SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF GIFTED CHILDREN
SUPPORTING GIFTED STUDENTS WITH DIVERSE SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS
AND GENDER IDENTITIES
