Who Gets to Be Gifted? Teacher Race, District Demographics, and Student Representation in Florida

This session explores how teacher race and district demographics influence the identification of gifted students from underrepresented groups across Florida. Drawing from statewide data, we examine disparities in gifted placement and share implications for equitable identification practices and teacher workforce diversity. Participants will be able to: 1. Analyze patterns of gifted identification disparities by race and ethnicity using district-level data to identify gaps and equity concerns in their own contexts. 2. Describe how the racial and ethnic composition of the teaching workforce influences the identification of gifted students from underrepresented groups. 3. Apply research-informed strategies to promote equitable identification practices, including approaches for increasing teacher diversity and re-evaluating current referral and screening systems.