Best Practices of the State of Florida's Plan B Implementation for Potentially Gifted Students

The aim of this study was to analyze the best practices methods and procedures used by school districts in the State of Florida for the purpose of identifying Gifted students from historically underrepresented groups who fall under the Plan B provision of the Florida Administrative Code 6A-6.03019, specifically students who are Limited English Proficient and those who belong to Low Socio-Economic Status families. Twenty eight of the 67 Florida school districts that demonstrated the most equitable representation of traditionally underserved student populations in gifted programs were identified and selected to participate. Of the 152 Gifted education administrators or evaluators that received an email invitation to take part in the six question survey, 32 responded. According to their responses, two major themes were identified. First, classroom teachers play a crucial role in both the nomination and assessment process. Professional development is the primary method of supporting teachers in identifying gifted behaviors in potentially gifted students from Plan B sub-groups. Second, the use of a universal screener, administered in the early grades is both utilized and recommended. These results are to be compiled into a practical handbook and made available to the districts and the Florida Department of Education Bureau of Exceptional Student Education.