A Special School for the Gifted: Corollary of a Ten-Year Work in Brazil

Abstract

The Gifted Education movement in Brazil has been continuously growing over the last ten years: beginning in the Fazenda doRosario, State of Minas Gerais, with a modest enrichment program, today it has reached the point of having a modern, well equipped Special Technical School for the Gifted, in Pojuca, State of Bahia. This is a residential school founded and sponsored solely by the José Carvalho Foundation, with the purpose of assisting gifted underprivileged youngsters, giving them an opportunity to develop their talents and intellectual capabilities, while aiming at inspiring them into a commitment to higher ideals and future action to initiate changes in our society. The identification and recruitment of students is done through a network of contacts covering several states in North Eastern Brazil, involving schools and other educationally significant organizations. The school follows a special enriched curriculum which also permits acceleration. It is organized into four dimensions: one comprising the disciplines and subject matter required by law; another developing educational programs connected to the residency; a third one oriented specially towards occupational training: and a fourth one which congregates optional enrichment projects. Follow up procedures include awarding college scholarship to all students who apply for them, besides other records and documentary measures.