Ana Maria Perez Gabriel

Gifted and Talented Hispanic Limited Englishproficient Students: the Constitutional Law Paradigm Ana Maria Perez Gabriel

The author analyzed eleven selected school districtsin Texas through a five-year historical period, from1996-2001. This record showed a similar pattern ofunderrepresentation that still pervadesidentification and service of Hispanic LEP studentsin gifted programs. Hispanic gifted and talented(G/T) students stand out as promising problemsolvers, but only when we recognize that giftedpersons come from all walks of life and are found inall races and socioeconomic status levels. Data fromthe eleven school districts revealed inadequateidentification tools to determine Hispanic LimitedEnglish Proficient giftedness and a lack of awarenessof these students' characteristics among referringteachers. The findings point to an unequaleducational opportunity for gifted LEP students thatcall into question their equal protection underconstitutional law.