Local opinion: Gifted education isn’t just for students — it’s for families too

and analysis of the writers:

Gifted education is often misunderstood. It’s not about giving more homework to “smart kids” or simply accelerating content. It’s about recognizing unique emotional needs, nurturing exceptional potential, and creating a pathway for future leaders, thinkers, and creators to thrive. But there’s something else we don’t talk about enough: gifted education also supports families, and it must.

At the Pima County School Superintendent’s Office, we’ve seen firsthand how gifted education transforms not only students’ lives but also the lives of those who care for them. Through our GiftED Program, we support the identification of gifted learners from all backgrounds: urban, rural, low-income, high-income, multilingual, and everything in between. We partner with schools and families to create learning plans, share resources, and ensure these children aren’t left behind or burned out by systems that don’t understand their needs.

Supporting a gifted student is not always easy. Families often navigate confusing school policies, emotional highs and lows, and the pressure of advocating for specialized services. When schools don’t offer the right support, it’s the families who bear the burden. That’s why our office works not just inside classrooms, but with families and communities. We offer tools, workshops, and opportunities for parents and teachers of gifted children to talk with one another and share ideas, struggles, and hope. All of this helps parents and guardians understand how to guide their children’s academic and emotional journey.

But this can’t just be a local effort.

We believe every school in Arizona should have access to what we’re building in Pima County: a gifted education system that recognizes talent early, nurtures it with compassion, and works in full partnership with families. Gifted programs shouldn’t be something only well-funded districts can provide. Talent exists everywhere. Opportunity must, too.

Statewide support for gifted education isn’t a luxury: it’s a necessity. These students are not just ahead in reading or math; they are often the ones who will solve tomorrow’s problems, create new industries, and bring innovation to our world. But they can only do that if we support them early and holistically. That means prioritizing gifted education in budgets, gifted student services, teacher training, and building frameworks that uplift both students and their families.

When we invest in gifted education, we’re not just shaping successful students, we’re supporting families, building strong communities, and creating a brighter future for everyone. Let’s make sure every school in Arizona has the tools to do the same.

Gifted children aren’t asking for more than they should have. They’re asking for what they need, and it’s our job to listen.

For more information about the GiftED Program in Pima County, contact marianne.landrith@pima.gov Program Director of GiftED at the Pima County School Superintendent Office, or visit our website for opportunities to learn more about gifted education at schools.pima.gov.