Two faculty members and a graduate student from the Department of Education Reform, along with a research partner, recently earned awards for their commitment and contributions to gifted and talented education in the state.

The awards were recently presented at the Arkansans for Gifted and Talented (AGATE) conference in Hot Springs.

Sarah McKenzie, executive director of the Office for Education Policy (OEP), and associate professor Jonathan Wai were jointly awarded the AGATE Award of Excellence, the highest award presented by the organization, for their research-practice work improving gifted education in the state. Past recipients have included Arkansas governors, superintendents, legislators and distinguished educators.

Ashley Rieske, a Doctoral Academy Fellow in the department and former gifted coordinator for the Rogers School District, was recognized with the Martha Ann Jones-Norton Award for her outstanding service to AGATE.

Dustin Seaton, director of advanced programs at Rogers Public Schools and a research partner to McKenzie and Wai, was presented the Presidential Award for his powerful influence on gifted education across the state.

Wai said the award is special to him professionally but also on a personal level. "Both my kids have enjoyed the challenge that their GT programs have provided — currently from Carol Honeycutt at McNair Middle School and Sarah King at Butterfield Trail Elementary School — so this recognition is particularly meaningful to me," he said.

Also at the event, McKenzie presented OEP growth awards to districts with the highest "value-added growth" for gifted and talented students in the state. Since 2017, OEP awards have recognized Arkansas schools where students demonstrate the highest levels of student academic growth.

"It is critically important that Gifted and Talented students continue to grow academically, even though they may already be performing above grade level," McKenzie said. "The districts that received OEP's GT awards are demonstrating that GT students benefit from the high expectations of their teachers. Our work with Dustin Seaton is a shining example of how researchers and practitioners work together to improve learning opportunities for students."