ABSTRACT

Interest in science education emerged during the 1940s as part of the Progressive education reform agenda. Precursors to private mobilization efforts of scientific talent by the federal government included competitions like the Westinghouse Science Talent Search, which originated in 1942 soon after the United States entered World War II. The National Education Association and co-sponsor the Carnegie Corporation invited interested individuals to New York City in order to discuss the educational future of academically talented high school students. Sputnik only galvanized the purpose of the conference, focusing on the issues of academically talented students. John Stalnaker recommended the development of multiple measurements and assessments to depict the array of abilities and aptitudes exhibited by talented youth, which foreshadowed contemporary identification practices. Educational considerations for the academically talented populated the remaining sessions of the conference. Although the conference addressed a host of issues, attendees failed to recognize the unique challenges faced by females, minorities, and those from lower socioeconomic circumstances.