This past weekend, TestingMom.com co-founder Michael McCurdy had the privilege of presenting at the annual Advocacy for Gifted and Talented Education (AGATE) conference in New Rochelle, New York.
The conference brought together parents, teachers, administrators, psychologists, and gifted education experts from across New York and around the country to discuss the unique academic and social-emotional needs of gifted children. It was inspiring to see so many people passionate about helping advanced learners receive the education and support they deserve.
Dr Karen Rogers, Keynote Speaker at AGATE conference, presenting to parents and educators
Learning from National Experts
One of the highlights of the conference was the keynote presentation by Karen Rogers titled “Communicating Effectively and What to Ask Your Gifted Child.”
Dr. Rogers shared practical advice for parents who advocate for their children at school, including how to effectively document academic progress and communicate with teachers and administrators.
She also reviewed decades of research on gifted education and discussed the effectiveness of different instructional models.
One of her key messages was that gifted students benefit significantly from learning with intellectual peers. Research has consistently shown positive academic outcomes for students participating in self-contained gifted classrooms. At the same time, she emphasized that even students who receive only part-time gifted enrichment or advanced learning opportunities can make meaningful academic gains.
The takeaway was encouraging: whenever schools can provide appropriately challenging instruction, gifted students benefit.
Sessions Covered a Wide Range of Topics
The two-day conference featured presentations addressing many of the questions parents ask us every day at TestingMom.
Some of the sessions included:
- Practical Strategies for Handling Intensity, Sensitivity, Inflexibility, and Perfectionism in Gifted Children
- Gifted Children and the Friendship Factor
- What Gifted Children Need at School, at Home, and in Their Communities
- Understanding Gifted Testing and Assessment
- A Deeper Look at What It Means to Be Gifted
These discussions reminded us that gifted education extends far beyond test scores. Supporting advanced learners means understanding their academic, emotional, and social development.
Meeting Parents and Educators
One of my favorite parts of the conference was meeting parents who are working tirelessly to advocate for their children. Every family has a different story, but many share the same goal: finding educational opportunities that allow their children to thrive.
We also had the opportunity to speak with educators who are committed to creating engaging classrooms where gifted students can continue to grow and challenge themselves.
Events like AGATE reinforce something we’ve always believed at TestingMom: identifying giftedness is only the beginning. The real work comes in providing children with the learning environment, encouragement, and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.
It was an inspiring weekend, and we’re grateful to AGATE for the opportunity to participate in such an important conversation about gifted education. We look forward to sharing many of the ideas and research presented at the conference with our TestingMom families in the months ahead.
Parents and Educators Attending the AGATE conference in New Rochelle, NY
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