Our History

IAG was founded in the late 1970s amid significant shifts in federal and state education policy and has since played a central role in shaping Indiana’s nationally recognized support for high ability learners.

From early advocacy that helped establish Indiana’s first gifted and talented legislation, statewide leadership development, and teacher endorsement programs, IAG has consistently partnered with educators, universities, and policymakers to advance research-based practice. 

Over the decades, IAG has convened statewide commissions, authored influential white papers, hosted multiple National Association for Gifted Children conferences, and advocated successfully for expanded definitions, resources, and accountability for high ability education. These sustained efforts culminated in a statewide mandate requiring all schools to identify and serve high ability students and in significant increases in state funding, most recently reaching $15 million in 2023. 

Today, IAG continues its four-decade legacy as Indiana’s leading voice for illuminating potential and ensuring meaningful educational opportunities for high ability students across the state.