gifted education in mexico: overview

1. Pedro Sanchez, UADY
Gifted Education in Mexico

2. Country overview
Mexico belongs geographically to North-America, ethnologically
abides to Latin America, and was the site of advanced
Amerindian civilizations that came under Spanish rule for
three centuries before achieving independence early in the
19th century.
Today, Mexico is the most populous Spanish-speaking country
in the world with nearly 110 million people and 2 million
square kilometers.
About 76% of the people live in urban areas and nearly 15% of
the population has immigrated to the north. The official
currency is the peso and the GNI per capita is US $9,980
(World Bank, 2008).

3. Data
• 32 states
• School systems serves 34
million students.
• 9th grade education on
the average.
• Diverse population:
more than 65 different
ethnic groups

4. Why it is important for a developing country to
take care of gifted students?

5. Gifted education
The first official program for the gifted was
implemented early in the 1980’s as the Model
of service to gifted students (CAS).
Student selection based primarily on
nomination from teachers and other
education authorities.
This method included many children without
potential to excel consumed resources for
gifted programs.

6. Types
Gifted
– High IQ, creativity and
thrust to achieve.
Talented
– Distinguished in sports and arts. (no formal
services).
 Perseverant,
dedicated students
Students who dedicate time and
effort to school matters.

8. Current policies
• Improve in-school and
community enrichment.
• Expand the number of
students identified and served.
• Provide economic support (for
poor families) and social and
emotional support for all
students.
• Promote acceleration

9. This presentation will discuss:
• Difficulties in screening gifted students in Mexico
• Programs and services for gifted students.
• Prejudice against acceleration
• Perspectives and expected benefits from their attention.

10. Difficulties in screening

11. Screening:
• Lack of valid and reliable
instruments.
• Dedication vs.
Giftedness.
• Absence of a culture of
Merit.
• Interpersonal
connections.
• Emphasis on
disadvantage.

13. Programs and services
• Stimulation
• Acceleration
• Enrichmentt

14. Stimulation
• Contexts, festivals, workshops
• Field trips
• Scholarships
• Honor list etc.

15. Enrichment
• Summer camps
• Special summer courses
• Assistantships to
researchers
• Study abroad programs
(national and
international)

16. Mexican Scholars Program…

17. Video: A bit of Yucatán 2007
NO
Ver video

18. Diary reports
anxiety about social relations
Gender differences: girls
listing the names of people
and calling them “pretty” or
“funny”. Boys referred to
groups: “the americans”.

19. Diary reports
Sense of equality an
friendship with
Americans.
Positive and fulfilling
experience.
Desires to study, interest in
research an ambition to
attend American
universities.

20. Limitations to stimulation and enrichment
• Expensive
• Limited to few private and
urban schools.
• Lack of follow up strategies.
• Programs are directed to
motivate, not to develop
aptitudes

21. Acceleration
• Reluctance to accelerate
students either partially or
totally.
• Lack of training in analyzing
empirical evidence.
• Parents with many rights
and few obligations.

22. Priorities
• Teacher trainig
• Provide administrative
guidelines for
acceleration
• Refine screening
processes
• Follow up long term to
assess results.

23. Why it is important to serve the
gifted? • Country's assets
• Decrease brain drain
• Foster economic and social
development

24. Welcome to México!