ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the background of American Indian schooling and the need for cultural responsiveness to advance student achievement by defining giftedness in an American Indian context. It also examines promising models for appropriate programming and services for American Indian students who exhibit giftedness and talent. The purpose of gifted and talented programs and services for American Indian students is to develop sustainable educational networks supporting student achievement. Research about giftedness in American Indian students fits into several categories: research about defining giftedness in the context of the American Indian culture and language, identification of students for gifted education programs, and programming options that are congruent with American Indian students, their learning styles, and their culture. The literature on programming options for American Indians in gifted and talented education is fairly consistent regarding critical cultural dimensions to consider and programming recommendations.
