ABSTRACT
Specialized schools across the country commonly share motivated students, increased parental involvement, and access to resources, and typically draw the most qualified and highly experienced teachers This chapter focuses on telling the stories of specialized schools in different settings and with different purposes and highlighting best practices among model specialized schools. Program design and instructional methods and materials must be carefully planned for developing talent in specialized schools. Students should receive the best instructional practices known in specialized school settings. Specialized High School Admissions Test exam performance is the sole criterion for admissions into these prestigious schools without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic status. Developing a specialized school begins with careful thinking and decisions about the school design and instructional methods to be used. By studying the stories of different specialized schools, educators can consider what works in various settings and how to design and implement differentiated educational programs for high-ability learners.
