Gifted Identification at school. A simulation of a training path for Italian teachers

Teachers play a fundamental role in the identification process of gifted students. Identification can be guided through specific training and the use of observation instruments to maintain equity and let each child be recognised for his own potential. This study describes a teacher training path developed within the Italian version (SRBCSS, ed. Sorrentino, Pinnelli, 2021) of the Scales for Rating the Behavioural Characteristics of Superior Students (Renzulli et. al. III ed. 2010). The simulation of a training course based on the teacher training exercises presented by Renzulli was developed after using the exercises with forty-seven middle school teachers of the North, Centre, and South of Italy. The simulation points out some critical aspects that a teacher can encounter in the understanding of giftedness and the use of the scales during the training. This integration to the Renzulli Scales led to exploring the key competences required to the training teacher that want to conduct the simulation.