HPGE research
Discussion papers and research conducted by the department assist staff in understanding these evidence-based practices.
The Education Act (NSW) 1990 supports every student to achieve their educational potential. Evidence-based teaching can assist educators to create optimal learning environments where all students are challenged and engaged.
High potential and gifted students with disability research
The NSW Public Schools survey of high potential and gifted students with disability (PDF 1.96 MB) is a report on empirical research conducted in collaboration between the University of Wollongong and the NSW Department of Education. The aim of this research was to:
- understand how many high potential and gifted students also had disability
- how these students were identified by schools.
Research and the 4 domains of potential
High potential and gifted students across all 4 domains of potential (intellectual, creative, physical and social-emotional) require evidence-based talent development to optimise their growth and achievement.
Discussion papers and research conducted by the department assists staff in understanding these evidence-based practices.
Intellectual domain literature review
The Revisiting Gifted Education literature review produced by the department’s Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation (CESE) provides a synthesis of the evidence base that supports the development and implementation of the policy.
A podcast is also available with further discussion on gifted education and the research behind the literature review.
Social-emotional domain discussion paper
The social-emotional domain discussion paper provides an overview of the research and practice associated with educating and supporting high-potential and gifted students in the social-emotional domain.
Use the social-emotional discussion paper (PDF 1.18 MB) and social-emotional domain key points (PDF 173 KB) to promote professional conversations about the social-emotional domain of potential.
Professional reflection prompts for professional learning in the social-emotional domain
- How well do our schools seek out potential (including high potential) in the social-emotional domain? How do we know this?
- How well do our schools develop talent in the social-emotional domain? What evidence do we have for this? What examples of practice can we share?
- What talent development opportunities in the social-emotional domain do we offer our students in and beyond our school settings, as well as across our network of schools? What can we do to better facilitate these opportunities within our network?
- How well does our leadership team understand high potential in the social-emotional domain? How might we find this out?
- What is the difference between social-emotional development and wellbeing (as described in 1.5 of the HPGE Policy) and the social-emotional domain of potential? How confident do they feel to support teachers with this understanding?
- What programs, procedures or practices do we have in place to find high potential and facilitate talent development for our students in the social-emotional domain? How can we broaden these opportunities based on the social-emotional discussion paper?
- What professional learning may need to take place to support staff in understanding the social-emotional domain of potential?
- How well do you understand the social-emotional domain and its role in the other domains of potential?
- How does the social-emotional domain of potential sit within and across all curriculum areas in your classroom?
- Does your classroom practice include finding high potential and developing talent in the social-emotional domain? How?
- What quality programs and procedures can you implement to develop talent in the social-emotional domain?
- What skills and/or knowledge do you need to assess and identify high potential and gifted student needs in the social-emotional domain?
- Think of a student you know or used to know that has high potential in the social-emotional domain. How did you know? What did you do to develop their talent and ensure their growth in this domain?
Physical domain discussion paper
The physical domain discussion paper provides an overview of the research and practice associated with educating and supporting high-potential and gifted students in the physical domain.
Use the physical domain discussion paper (DOCX 218KB) and physical domain key points (DOCX 208KB) to promote professional conversations about the physical domain of potential.
Professional reflection prompts for professional learning in the physical domain
- How well do schools look for high potential in the physical domain? How might this data be found?
- To what extent do schools develop talent in the physical domain? What evidence and examples of practice are available and how might these be shared?
- What talent development opportunities in the physical domain are offered in and beyond school settings, as well as across networks of schools?
- What can be done to facilitate opportunities within networks?
- How well do leadership teams understand high potential in the physical domain? How confident are leaders in supporting teachers with this understanding?
- What professional learning may need to take place to support staff in understanding the physical domain of potential?
- What attitudes to high potential in the physical domain exist among teachers?
- What programs, procedures or practices are currently in place to find high potential and facilitate talent development for students in the physical domain? How can the opportunities outlined in the physical domain discussion paper be enabled at your school?
- How well do you understand the physical domain and its role in the other domains of potential?
- How might the physical domain of potential be incorporated into curriculum areas in your classroom? How might new curriculum provide opportunities to enable this?
- Does your classroom practice include finding high potential and developing talent in the physical domain? How?
- Think of a student you know that demonstrates high potential in the physical domain. How do you know? What do you do to develop talent and ensure growth in the physical domain?
- What skills and/or knowledge do you need to assess and identify a students’ needs in the physical domain?
Creative domain discussion paper
The creative domain discussion paper provides an overview of the research and practice associated with educating and supporting high potential and gifted students in the creative domain.
Use the creative domain discussion paper (DOCX 1.51 MB) and creative domain key points (DOCX 218 KB) to promote professional conversations about the creative domain of potential.
Professional reflection prompts for professional learning in the creative domain
- How well do schools look for high potential in the creative domain? How might this data be found?
- To what extent do schools develop talent in the creative domain? What evidence and examples of practice are available and how might these be shared?
- What talent development opportunities in the creative domain are offered in and beyond school settings, as well as across networks of schools?
- What can be done to facilitate creative opportunities within networks?
- How well do leadership teams understand high potential in the creative domain, in particular, the interdisciplinary nature of creativity? How confident are leaders in supporting teachers with this understanding
- What professional learning may need to take place to support staff in understanding the creative domain of potential, in particular, the 4P model of creativity (person, process, place and product)?
- How well do teachers understand the differences between creative and critical thinking?
- How might leaders implement explicit teaching of creativity and creative thinking across the school? How can student potential and performance in the creative domain be tracked across the school?
- What programs, procedures or practices are currently in place to find high potential and facilitate talent development for students in the creative domain? How can the practical strategies outlined in the creative domain discussion paper be enabled at your school?
- How well do you understand the concept of the 4P model of creativity (person, process, place and product)? How could the 4P model be applied within and across all key learning areas and subjects?
- How might talent development in the creative domain of potential be incorporated in and across curriculum areas? How might the new curriculum provide opportunities to enable this?
- Does your classroom practice include finding high potential and explicit development of talent in the creative domain? How?
- Think of a student you know who demonstrates high potential in the creative domain. How do you know? What do you do to develop talent and ensure growth in the creative domain?
- What capability will you require to assess and identify student needs in the creative domain?