Keynote speaker :
Mary Ann Swiatek, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
March 11, 2015
7: 00pm to 8:30 pm
Wilson Administration Building
Staff Development 1st floor.

Topic:

Myths, Misconceptions, and Frequently Asked Questions about Academic Acceleration

 
The word "acceleration" often raises concern among the adults in a gifted student's life--parents, teachers, and administrators alike.  While it is important to consider both pros and cons of any educational decision, many of the worries about acceleration are based on misinformation.

In this presentation, research findings will be used to answer common questions about acceleration, including those focused on academic issues (e.g., "Will accelerated students have gaps in their knowledge?") and social/emotional issues (e.g., "Will acceleration hurt gifted students' self-concept?").  Important factors to consider in making an acceleration decision for a specific child will be summarized, and a brief list of resources will be provided.

Mary Ann Swiatek, Ph.D., has been doing research on giftedness since exploring the topic of acceleration in a library research project as an undergraduate in the late 1980s.  She graduated from Oberlin College with honors in Psychology and immediately went on to Iowa State University, from which she received her M.S. and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology.  While at Iowa State, she was fortunate to work with Dr. Camilla Benbow and the Study of Mathematically Precocious Youth (SMPY).  Since receiving her doctorate, she has worked as a college professor at SUNY Fredonia and Lafayette College, and as a Research Specialist with C-MITES.  She is a past member of the PAGE Board and continues to be an active member of the PAGE Speakers Bureau.  Her interests focus on academic acceleration and social coping among gifted students.