Equity in Gifted Education

As part of the Equity in Gifted Education (EGE) project, Kolegji Heimerer has been implementing a parent programme since March in two partner schools in Prishtina, Ismail Qemali and Nazim Gafurri.

The programme started with its first introductory session, which brought parents and their children together in a welcoming and interactive setting. During this session, parents were introduced to the objectives of the gifted education programme and discussed ways to support their children’s academic and emotional development at home.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of strong school–family collaboration and two-way communication between parents and teachers. Parents had the opportunity to ask questions, share their experiences, and reflect on the needs of their gifted children, including the emotional and social challenges they may face.

A key focus of the EGE project is creating more equitable opportunities for recognising and supporting gifted learners from diverse backgrounds, ensuring that every child has the chance to develop their talents and potential.

More about Heimerer College: https://kolegji-heimerer.eu/
More about the project: https://equityingiftededucation.eu/

Thanks to Erasmus+ | Onderwijs & Training, and to our partners Stichting VO Haaglanden, Bureau Talent, Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, and DCU

Last week, the Equity in Gifted Education (EGE) project was featured at the VO Haaglanden academic afternoon in The Hague, focused on evidence-informed working in education.
Through a poster presentation, we shared how schools can better identify and support cognitive potential, especially for students from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

Key insight:
We often measure language, but think we are measuring intelligence. By combining research, practice, and reflection, teachers begin to see students differently:
from performance → to potential
from assumptions → to evidence

Great to see schools learning from and with each other. This is where real impact starts.
Thanks to Erasmus+, Stichting VO Haaglanden, Bureau Talent, Thomas More, Kolegji Heimerer, and DCU/CTYI!

As part of the EGE project, partners continue to actively engage parents in supporting children’s language development. A recent parent session organised by Maris College Kijkduin, a secondary school in The Hague (the Netherlands), showcased practical ways to involve families, combining informative presentations, interactive discussions, and accessible take-home materials.

Research from the EGE project and its predecessor, CEOS, shows that academic language is not equally accessible to all students. Learners from diverse backgrounds may have less exposure to this type of language, making targeted support essential. Engaging parents as partners is key to ensuring all students can fully benefit from learning opportunities.

This is a strong example of how EGE partners are connecting research and practice, making impact visible, and fostering meaningful school–home collaboration.
More about the school: https://www.mariscollege.nl/kijkduin
More about the project: https://equityingiftededucation.eu/

At OLVC+ in Antwerp (Belgium), students are strengthening their academic language skills as part of the EGE (Equity in Gifted Education) project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union.
They explore vocabulary around topics such as collaboration, reflection and processing results, and, more importantly, learn how to apply this language in context.
By creating their own games, such as Pictionary and memory challenges, students turn abstract language into something active, engaging and meaningful.
With 8 lessons completed, a parent activity already organised, and a final presentation coming up on June 2, the project is well underway and its impact is becoming visible in the classroom.
In collaboration with partners including Stichting VO Haaglanden, Thomas More, Kolegji Heimerer, Talent , and DCU.
More about the school: http://www.olvcplus.be
More about the project: https://equityingiftededucation.eu/

Making Hidden Talent Visible in Multilingual Classrooms

On March 30th, the Equity in Gifted Education (EGE) project was featured during an online inspiration session at the CBO Group Screening event in the Netherlands, organized by CBO Talent Development.

Learn more: https://cbo-nijmegen.nl/

The session focused on a key challenge in education: how to recognize cognitive talent in multilingual learners (NT2 students). Research within the EGE project shows that traditional identification practices often rely heavily on language-based performance. As a result, students with strong reasoning abilities may remain underidentified if they are still developing academic language.
A central insight:
We often measure language, but think we are measuring intelligence.

To address this, EGE promotes a three-pillar approach:
-fair identification using less language-dependent tools
-explicit support for academic language development
-active engagement of parents in diverse contexts
By connecting research and practice, EGE aims to contribute to more equitable systems for identifying and supporting cognitive talent across Europe.

We are proud to share that the Erasmus+ project Equity in Gifted Education (EGE) has been accepted for presentation at the ECHA Conference 2026 in Dublin (12–15 August).
Our contribution, “From Hidden Potential to Inclusive Systems: Evidence-Informed Pathways for Equity in Gifted Education”, will be presented as an oral presentation within the theme Equity and Diversity.
Within EGE, partners from across Europe collaborate to improve the identification and support of gifted students from underrepresented and low socioeconomic backgrounds. This project brings together:
VO Haaglanden (NL)
Bureau Talent (NL)
Thomas More-hogeschool (BE)
DCU (IE)
Kolegji Heimerer(XK)
By combining research, classroom practice and parent engagement, we aim to create more inclusive and equitable gifted education systems across Europe.
We look forward to sharing our approach, results and lessons learned with the international gifted education community.

The COVAT testing has been successfully conducted in Kosovo as part of the EGE project.

During November and December 2025, Kolegji Heimerer, as part of the project consortium, implemented the COVAT assessments in the target schools "Ismail Qemajli" and "Nazim Gafurri" in Prishtina, Kosovo.

The COVAT is used within the EGE project to help identify students’ cognitive potential and to support greater equity in gifted education by ensuring that talents are recognised through a structured and evidence-based approach.

Parental consent was requested prior to implementation, and all assessments were administered on school premises in full accordance with the project protocol, ensuring an ethical, transparent, and standardised process.

We are pleased to share some moments from the COVAT administration below.

Learn more about the EGE project here: https://equityingiftededucation.eu/

Equity in Gifted Education: our first newsletter is out!

How do we recognise cognitive talent when it’s often overlooked? Across Europe, partners in the are working to make gifted education more equitable, ensuring cognitive talent is recognised and supported, regardless of students’ background.

In our first newsletter, we share early insights, stories from practice in schools across multiple countries, and a glimpse of what’s ahead as we move towards large-scale implementation.

You'll find links in the comments!

The international Equity in Gifted Education project (EGE Project) is in full swing! Together with schools in the Netherlands, Flanders, Ireland, and Kosovo, we are committed to identifying and nurturing talent in all students – including children from families where opportunities are less readily available.

Introduction and getting started
In September, the participating schools met for the first time. An inspiring start, during which expectations and plans were shared. Parents also play an important role: each school organizes at least four activities, such as a lecture, exhibition, or award ceremony. This way, we work together to ensure engagement and valuable feedback.

Teacher Training & COVAT Test
The first Teacher Training began in Vlaardingen on October 2nd. The second training day will follow in Antwerp in March. Here, teachers learn how to use the new language program and the COVAT test. This test will help us identify students' talents, so that we can begin the first academic language lessons in December.

International Spotlight
Our project has already attracted considerable interest at conferences in Braga (WCGTC) and Karlstad (ECHA). These highlighted how current and important are topic is: equal opportunities for talented students, regardless of their background.

What's coming up?
The coming months will focus on:
🌱 Administering the COVAT test;
🌱Launching language interventions in the classroom;
🌱Parent programs and focus groups at all schools;
🌱Preparations for international exchanges and events in 2026.

Join us!
Schools interested in joining this program are still very welcome. Enthusiastic teachers and school leaders can contact us via: https://equityingiftededucation.eu/.

Together, we'll ensure that talent doesn't go unnoticed!

Yesterday, we – Lineke van Tricht and Birgit Broekhoven – had the honour of presenting our EGE Project (funded by Erasmus+ | Onderwijs & Training) at the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children in Braga, Portugal.

Our mission: to uncover and nurture cognitive talent in all students, regardless of their background. Too often, the potential of children from low socioeconomic or migrant backgrounds remains unseen.

In our project, we focus on three pillars:
- Non-verbal identification of giftedness (e.g. with the COVAT-3)
- Academic language development (based on Woordenboost programme)
- Active parental involvement, even when trust, literacy, or time are barriers

“Don’t. Don’t dream. Don’t rise...” – With these powerful words by Amir Bachrouri, we opened our session. Every child deserves the chance to dream and to grow.

Talent is universal. Access is not.
It’s time to make inclusion and excellence go hand in hand.

Want to learn more or collaborate?
https://lnkd.in/eM-BJubP

Thanks to our passionate partners Marlies Tierens from Thomas More-hogeschool, Leeanne Hinch, PhD, Cathy Woods, and Megan Griffiths from Centre for Talented Youth, Ireland (CTYI) at DCU, hoxha and Ardhmëri Govori, Bureau Talent, and Stichting VO Haaglanden.