Health · Mental Health · 2 hrs ago
Gifted education expert warns Brazil’s new student register could exclude some children
Brazil passed a law in June to create a national register of gifted students, so they can receive specialized educational support and have their progress followed.
Psychologist Joseph Renzulli, who has researched giftedness for more than five decades, cautions that a register based mainly on IQ or test results could leave some children out.
A child just below a score cutoff, for example, might have a strong interest in a subject and benefit from studying it more deeply.
Renzulli says giftedness involves above-average ability, creativity and strong commitment to a task, rather than test scores alone.
His school enrichment approach gives all students varied experiences, then offers further opportunities to those who show strong interest.
He argues that children should be able to pursue those interests whether or not they appear on a register.
The law’s register is intended to help identify and support students, but the interview does not say how Brazil will decide who qualifies.
Psychologist Joseph Renzulli warned that Brazil’s planned national register of gifted students could exclude children if it relies only on IQ or academic test results.
He said children with strong interests could benefit from advanced learning opportunities even if they do not qualify for a list.
Brazil’s new law, approved in June, provides for a national register to identify gifted students and track their progress.
Renzulli said schools should offer varied experiences to all students and allow those who show strong interest to pursue subjects further.
He argued that Brazil has substantial untapped potential among young people.
- Who
- Joseph Renzulli, a US psychologist and gifted-education expert.
- What
- He warned that Brazil’s planned national register could leave out some gifted children if entry depends on IQ or academic test results.
- When
- The law was approved in June; Renzulli’s interview was published on 12 October 2026.
- Where
- Brazil.
- Why
- Renzulli said a register based on limited measures could exclude children with strong interests who could benefit from advanced learning.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Um dos problemas de um cadastro é que geralmente olhamos apenas para um aspecto, os resultados de QI ou de testes de desempenho
E isso pode deixar de fora muitas crianças que têm interesses diversos e poderiam se beneficiar de programas de aprofundamento do conhecimento
Um país grande como o Brasil tem uma quantidade ilimitada de potencial humano nos jovens. Só temos que descobrir as melhores maneiras de desenvolvê-lo
Renzulli helped change how giftedness was defined, moving beyond an exclusive focus on IQ tests.
Brazil approved a law providing for a national register of gifted students.
UOL published its interview with Renzulli.
- Expert
- Joseph Renzulli, 90
- Law approved
- June
- Register purpose
- Identify gifted students and track their educational progress
- Renzulli’s model
- Above-average ability, creativity and strong task commitment
- Interview published
- 12 October 2026
Sources
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