Building on and Extending the Characteristics of Gifted Learners: Implementing the Real Engagement in Active Problem Solving (REAPS) Teaching Model

Real Engagement in Active Problem Solving (REAPS) is an evidence-based model for building on and extending the characteristics of gifted learners, enabling them to develop their exceptional talents. The purposes of this study were to (a) identify teachers who implemented the method at a high level of fidelity and (b) describe their ways of applying principles for talent development in content, processes, products, and learning environments. Fidelity of Implementation was high, ranging from 3.0 to 5.8, with a mean of 4.7 on a scale from 0 to 6. Teachers used methods identified as important for exceptionally talented students: engagement, challenge, interest, and relevance. Administrators enabled this high level of implementation. Because the study was conducted in one school, we recommend extending the research to other schools and contexts, and to consider the importance of real-world problem solving in developing the understanding and values needed to use exceptional talents wisely.