Giving Compass' Take:

· Although 'twice exceptional' students are hard to identify, Education Dive explains that they can make great advancements in their education when given the right guidance and tools. 

· What are 'twice exceptional' students? How can educators be trained to cater to the needs of these students?

· Here's more on education and students with unique needs.

Students who are both gifted and have special needs can be hard to identify but shine when provided the right support — though getting there often brings districts and parents into conflict.

Students don’t always fall under one specific label because they are individuals. Some students labeled as having disabilities are exceptionally gifted as well. And some students who are labeled as gifted face learning, social or behavioral challenges that may create problems for them in a traditional classroom setting unless those challenges are understood and addressed.

School leaders often struggle with placement of twice exceptional or 2e students who need support but can make great strides in education. Some districts, like Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland, have taken great pains to provide programs and services that can help meet the needs of these students and to train teachers in identifying and supporting them. These programs offer valuable ideas that can be replicated or scaled to the needs of other school districts.

Dealing with twice exceptional students can pose a dilemma, as separating these students from traditional classrooms entirely is usually not the answer. In fact, including most exceptional students in traditional classroom frameworks is often advantageous. New technologies and resources are making inclusivitymore possible than ever, and accessibility is a frequent consideration when new resources are adopted into classrooms.

Read the full article about 'twice exceptional' students by Amelia Harper at Education Dive.