The individual family support plan:A tool to assist special populations of gifted learners∗

Eighty‐seven families representing multicultural groups, many of whom were also economically disadvantaged, participated in Project Mandala, a college‐based, federally funded enrichment and family support program for special populations of gifted learners. The children, ages 4–8 and 11–14, were identified by individual psychoeducational assessment. They attended Saturday and summer enrichment programs at the college. Parents participated in the development of an Individual Family Support Plan intended to enhance the identified child's educational progress. Goals of the plan evolved out of a parent interview and results of the child's assessment. At the end of the Project all of the plan goals had been met or addressed. Families reported positive reactions to the planning process.