Unicorns and Blessings: Supporting Culturally Diverse Twice-Exceptional Learners Through Learning Lab

• Published in: Teaching exceptional children Vol. 57; no. 6; pp. 430 - 438
• Main Authors: Bal, Aydin, Jackson, Dia, Mayes, Renae D., Powell, Freddrick
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.07.2025; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Community; Gifted; Learning; Learning Laboratories; Minority students; Multicultural education; Schools; Special education; Student behavior; Students with disabilities
• ISSN: 0040-0599; 2163-5684
• DOI: 10.1177/00400599221107146

Twice exceptional (2e) students are students who are both gifted and have a disability. At the intersection of exceptionality and race, twice exceptional students from racially minoritized communities may experience behavioral difficulties in schools. In this article, we provide information for educators as well as school and district administrators about the unique challenges and possibilities in teaching 2e students of color. We offer a research-based collective problem-solving process, Learning Lab, that brings together practitioners, students, school and district leaders, families, and community members, especially those who have been excluded from schools’ decision-making activities. Learning Lab members engage in root cause analyses, map out their existing behavioral support system, and design a culturally responsive school wide behavioral support model in response to experiences, resources, needs, and goals of 2e students and their school contexts. In Learning Labs, the local school community has power in determining the future of their school. Practitioners, students, family and community members’ diverse histories and interests are utilized to develop just, effective, and gifted schools for all.