Research Presentations

Belin-Blank Center faculty and staff regularly present their research at national and international conferences including NAGC, APA, AERA, and the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children.

Belin-Blank Center researchers presenting at a conference.

Selected Presentations

Foley-Nicpon, M. (2025, July). When high ability meets disability: Implications for assessment and accommodations [Invited presentation]. SSD Reviewer’s Conference, College Board, Atlanta, GA.
Foley-Nicpon, M. (2025, March). Musings about our Javits grant [Invited presentation]. Talent Development Summit, Berkeley, CA.
Assouline, S. G., Lupkowski-Shoplik, A., & Bozec, P. C. (2024, November). Investigation of a sample of twice-exceptional students considered for acceleration. National Association for Gifted Children. Seattle.
Lupkowski-Shoplik, A., Assouline, S. G., & Bozec, P. C. (2024, November). Making Acceleration Decisions: A Validity Study of Essential Factors. National Association for Gifted Children. Seattle.
Foley-Nicpon, M. (2024, February). How research can inform practice for educators and parents of twice-exceptional learners [Keynote]. 2e@William & Mary: Twice-Exceptional Conference, virtual.

A top priority is to share our research findings with as broad an audience as possible, while making sure those findings are as meaningful and impactful as possible for classroom teachers.

Randy Lange, Associate Director, Belin-Blank Center

Presentations by Year

Assouline, S. G., Hebda, M., Schabilion, K., & Trog, M. (2026, May). Beyond the diagnosis: Using latent profile analysis to reveal the complexity of twice-exceptional learners [Conference session]. Wallace Symposium, Iowa City, IA, United States.
Behrens, W., & Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (2026, August). Subject acceleration as a catalyst for talent development. European Council for High Ability. Dublin, Ireland.
Foley-Nicpon, M. (2026, June). [Invited presentation]. Belin-Blank Center & Research Initiatives. Elmbridge University Study with the Masters, Studio City, CA.
Hebda, M., & Schabilion, K. (2026, August). Beyond the diagnosis: Using latent profile analysis to reveal the complexity of twice-exceptional learners. European Council for High Ability Conference, Dublin, Ireland.
Schabilion, K. S., Teske, J. K., & Lange, R. (2026, April). Collaborating to Support 2e Students. Iowa Talented and Gifted Spring Conference. Virtual.
Teske, J. K., & Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (2026, August). Standardized Decision-Making for Whole-Grade Acceleration: Research-Based Practices. European Council for High Ability. Dublin, Ireland.

Assouline, S. G., & Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (2025, November). Standardized tests for acceleration. National Association for Gifted Children, Pittsburgh, PA.
Behrens, W., & Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (2025, November). Using subject acceleration to support talent development. National Association for Gifted Children, Pittsburgh, PA.
Floyd, E. F., Teske, J. K., & Gray, A. (2025, November). Welcome to the Neighborhood - of Allies: Supporting ALL Gifted and Talented Students in the Neighborhood. National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Annual Conference. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Foley-Nicpon, M. (2025, August). Growth and Gratitude [Invited presentation]. Division 17 Fellows, American Psychological Association, Denver, CO.
Foley-Nicpon, M., Watson, K., Mahatmya, D., & Ali, S R. (2025, November). Assessing state achievement data among twice-exceptional and academically advanced youth [Symposium presentation]. National Association for Gifted Children Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
Kuhlmann, E., Foley-Nicpon, M., & Lange, R. (2025, November). Evaluating the impact of a support program for twice-exceptional university students [Paper presentation]. National Association for Gifted Children Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (2025, October). Grade-skipping. Discussions, decisions, and transitions. Ohio Association for Gifted Children. Columbus, OH.
Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (2025, October). Transition planning for whole-grade acceleration. Illinois Association for Gifted Children. Naperville, IL.
Lupkowski-Shoplik, A., & Assouline, S. G. (2025, November). Acceleration: What do students say? National Association for Gifted Children, Pittsburgh, PA.
Schabilion, K., & Carlson, P. (2025, November). Twice-Exceptional Tip Sheets [Conference session]. National Association for Gifted Children Annual Convention, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
Schabilion, K., & Carlson, P. (2025, October). Twice-Exceptional Tip Sheets [Conference session]. Iowa Talented and Gifted Association Conference, Des Moines, IA, United States.
Schabilion, K., & Foley-Nicpon, M. (2025, October). Twice-Exceptionality: Greatest Hits [Conference session]. Iowa Talented and Gifted Association Conference, Des Moines, IA, United States.
Schabilion, K., & Keller-Wilson, M. (2025, July). Adapting writing instruction for varied levels of student ability [Conference session]. Science of Reading Summit, Cedar Rapids, IA, United States.
Teske, J. K. & Carlson, P. (2025, October). Iowa Online AP Academy (IOAPA). Iowa Talented and Gifted (ITAG) Annual Conference. Des Moines, Iowa.
Teske, J. K. (2025, October). Academic Acceleration. Iowa Talented and Gifted (ITAG) Annual Conference. Des Moines, Iowa.
Turner, M., & Foley-Nicpon, M. (2025, August). Concrete Rose: Efficacy of culturally relevant resilience interventions with Black youth [Poster presentation]. American Psychological Association, Denver, CO.

Assouline, S. G., Lupkowski-Shoplik, A., & Bozec, P. C. (2024, November). Investigation of a sample of twice-exceptional students considered for acceleration. National Association for Gifted Children. Seattle.
Davis, S., & Teske, J. K. (2024, November) Successfully promoting a more equitable identification process in one urban district. Presented at the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Annual Conference, Seattle, Washington.
Floyd, E. F., Teske, J. K., Bonner, F. A., Smalls, A., Martyak, L., & Gilchrist, M. (2024, November) Equity and access in action panel: School district success stories. Presented at the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Annual Conference, Seattle, Washington.
Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (2023, July). Academic acceleration: Tools, policies, and research. Full-day workshop presented to teachers and gifted coordinators. PaTTAN (Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network; for educators throughout the state), Harrisburg, PA.
Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (2024, April). Academic acceleration: Research, grade-skipping, subject acceleration, and more. Full-day workshop for educators and administrators. Summit Educational Service Center, Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (January 2024). Acceleration: What Do Parents Need to Know? Webinar presented to the Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education. Virtual.
Lupkowski-Shoplik, A., Assouline, S. G., & Bozec, P. C. (2024, November). Making Acceleration Decisions: A Validity Study of Essential Factors. National Association for Gifted Children. Seattle.
Lupkowski-Shoplik, A., LeBeau, B., & Assouline, S.G. (2024, May). Validity study of the Integrated Acceleration System. Presented at the Wallace Research Symposium on Talent Development, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT.
Pancheco DuBois, M., Teske, J. K., Diaz, G., Wilkins-McCorey, D. M., Wells, A., & Flo, J. (2024, November) Equitable programming for culturally and linguistically diverse gifted students. Presented at the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Annual Conference, Seattle, Washington.
Schabilion, K. (2024, April 25). Outreach presentation to Iowa City Community School District Extended Learning Program Team: Working with Twice-Exceptional Students. Iowa City, Iowa.
Teske, J. K., Randleman, K., & Alessio, J. (2024, November) Universal qualitative screenings in K-1 can help identify underrepresented students. Presented at the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Annual Conference, Seattle, Washington.

Clark, T., Roberts, J. L., Corwith, S., Hinshaw, M. B., & Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (November 2023). Signature Session: The Talent Search Model: Where Are We Now? National Association for Gifted Children. Orlando.
Colangelo, N. (2023, March 24). Acceleration: Intervention that meets the academic and social needs of gifted students [Invited presentation]. Tasmanian Association for the Gifted. Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
Field, E.R., Assouline, S.G., Foley-Nicpon, M., & LeBeau, B. (2023, February). Pre-Service Teachers’ Knowledge of Twice-Exceptionality [Poster presentation]. 2023 Trainers of School Psychologists Conference, Denver, CO, United States.
Field, E.R., Mahatmya, D., Assouline, S.G., Foley-Nicpon, M., & Ali, S.R. (2023, February). On AIR and SEA: Holland Codes for Middle School Interventions [Poster presentation]. 2023 National Association of School Psychologists Convention, Denver, CO, United States.
Foley-Nicpon, M. (2023, June). Twice-exceptionality: Identification and intervention strategies [Ancillary session]. Detroit Public Schools Summer Institute, Detroit, MI, United States.
Foley-Nicpon, M. (2023, June). Twice-exceptionality: What is it, and what do we do about it? [Keynote]. Detroit Public Schools Summer Institute, Detroit, MI, United States.
Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (2023, October). Academic acceleration: Decision-making tools, policies, and research. Full-day workshop presented to teachers and gifted coordinators. Allegheny Intermediate Unit. Pittsburgh, PA.
Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (August 2023). A Toolkit for Academic Acceleration. World Council for Gifted and Talented Children. Virtual conference.
Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (November 2023). Making Decisions About Math Acceleration: Where Does Policy Fit in? Texas Association for Gifted and Talented. Dallas.
Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (October 2023). Grade-Skipping and Subject Acceleration: Important Tools in Your Toolbox. Ohio Association for Gifted Children. Columbus.
Schabilion, K., & Smith, C.L. (2023, November). Essential tips for parents of twice-exceptional children [Conference session]. National Association for Gifted Children Annual Convention, Orlando, FL.
Schabilion, K., & Smith, C.L. (2023, October). Twice-Exceptional: All day, every day [Conference session]. Iowa Talented and Gifted Association Conference, Des Moines, IA.

Assouline, S. G. &. Foley-Nicpon, M. (2022, September). Twice-Exceptional Students: Linking Psychology and Neuroscience [Paper presentation]. The 4th American-European Summit on Talent Development, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
Assouline, S. G. (2022, August). Unlocking Potential: Finding the Keys to Student Success in a University Early Entrance Academy [Paper presentation]. European Council for High Ability (ECHA), The Hague, The Netherlands.
Chandler, K. L., Castellano, J. A., Hertzog, N. B., Sedillo, P. J., Gray, A., Lansdowne, K. A., Meyer, M. S., Foley-Nicpon, M., Francis, E. M., & Kendrick-Dunn, T. B. (2022, November). Identifying and serving diverse gifted learners: Meeting the needs of special populations in gifted education [Paper presentation]. National Association for Gifted Children, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
Croft, L. J. & Treat, A. (2022, November 18). Diverse Faces in Gifted Education: LGBTQ+ [Conference session]. National Association for Gifted Children, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
Croft, L. J. (2022, October 20). Creating Empowerment Curriculum: Diverse Faces in Gifted Education [Conference session]. Advocacy & Empowerment: If Not You, Then Who? Iowa Talented and Gifted (ITAG) Association Conference, Des Moines, IA, United States.
Croft, L. J. (2022, October 20). On a QUEST to Empower Teachers to Advocate and Serve their Gifted Students [Conference session]. Advocacy & Empowerment: If Not You, Then Who? Iowa Talented and Gifted (ITAG) Association Conference, Des Moines, IA, United States.
Foley-Nicpon, M. (2022, October). Advocating for twice-exceptional students through talent development [Invited presentation]. Iowa Talented and Gifted Association Conference, Des Moines, IA, United States.
Foley-Nicpon, M., Assouline, S., Mahatmya, D., Ali, S., & Teriba, A. (2022, November). A hybrid model of talent identification-career exploration for underrepresented students [Paper presentation]. National Association for Gifted Children, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
Ihrig, L. M., Lynch, S., Karakis, N. (2022, November). Developing rural stem talent through afterschool programs. Conference presentation at the National Association for Gifted Children, 69th Annual Conference, Indianapolis, IN.
Karakis, N., Ihrig, L. M., Mahatmya, D. (2022, November). Who is missing from rural stem talent development efforts? Poster presentation at the National Association for Gifted Children, 69th Annual Conference, Indianapolis, IN.
Lange, R. & Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (2022, November). Grade-Skipping: The Essential Considerations [Poster presentation]. National Association for Gifted Children. Indianapolis, IN, United States.
Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (2022, November). Research into Practice: Academic Acceleration [Invited roundtable presentation]. National Association for Gifted Children, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
Lynch, S. G., Jangiou, E., Assouline, S.G., Mahatmya, D., Ihrig, L. M. (2022). Developing high-achieving rural students' STEM, academic, and career self-efficacy through place-based informal programming. Conference presentation at American Educational Research Association, 2022 Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.
Pauley, J., & Foley-Nicpon, M. (2022, August). Benefits and Barriers to sports participation for youth with autism spectrum disorder [Poster presentation]. American Psychological Association, Minneapolis, MN, United States.
Payne, A. M. & Croft, L. J. (2022, November 19). Acceleration: Insights into Environmental Constraints to an Effective Practice [Poster presentation]. National Association for Gifted Children, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
Schabilion, K., & Berns, A. (2022, November). Essential tips for teachers of twice-exceptional students [Conference session]. National Association for Gifted Children Annual Convention, Indianapolis, IN.
Schabilion, K., & Berns, A. (2022, November). Essential Tips for Teachers of Twice-Exceptional Students. Conference presentation at National Association for Gifted Children Annual Convention, Indianapolis, IN.
Shearer, E., Foley-Nicpon, M., Ali, S., Assouline, S., & Mahatmya, D. (2022, August). Comparing students’ sense of belonging and enjoyment in a career exploration intervention [Poster presentation]. American Psychological Association, Minneapolis, MN, United States.
Szymanski, A. & Croft, L. J. (2022, November 18). Exploring Curriculum Models through Lesson Planning [Poster presentation]. National Association for Gifted Children, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
Teriba, A., Foley-Nicpon, M., Assouline, S., Ali, S., & Mahatmya, D. (2022, August). Influences of achievement goal orientation among high-ability rural middle school students [Virtual Poster presentation]. American Psychological Association, Minneapolis, MN, United States.
Worrell, F., Olszewski-Kubilius, P., Subotnik, R., Portenga, S., Foley-Nicpon, M., Metzler, J., & Simonton, D. K. (2022, August). Presidential Programming: Insider knowledge for high performance [Symposium presentation]. American Psychological Association, Minneapolis, MN, United States.

Assouline, S. G., & Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (2021, December). Acceleration: A deeper dive. Invited keynote presentation at the Acceleration Summit, a special event at the Texas Association for Gifted and Talented annual convention. Dallas, TX.
Assouline, S.G., & Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (2021, July). Acceleration: Practical applications and policy implications. Presented at the biennial conference of the World Association for Gifted and Talented (virtual).
Assouline, S.G., LeBeau, B., Schabilion, K. (2021, May). Intersection of the Medical Model and Talent Development Model in Understanding Twice-Exceptionality. Invited presentation at the Summit on the Neuroscience of Twice-Exceptionality, virtual.
Behrens, W.A., & Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (2021, July). Preparing for successful acceleration. Presented at the biennial conference of the World Association for Gifted and Talented (virtual).
Corwith, S., Hinshaw, M. Assouline, S.G., & Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (2021, November). A key to equity: Access to talent development through talent discovery. Presented at the annual meeting of the National Association for Gifted Children. Denver.
Croft, L. J., & Lange, R., Introduction to Gifted and Talented Education. Workshop, Baker Teacher Leader Center, Virtual (live and recorded). (September 13, 2021).
Croft, L. J., & Payne, A., Gifted and Talented International: A Resource for Professional Development. Conference presentation presented at the Developing the Future of Gifted Education, World Council for Gifted and Talented Children, Virtual On Demand. (July 2021).
Croft, L. J., & Payne, A., Teacher-Student Relationships that Inspire Gifted Student Engagement. Conference presentation presented at the Developing the Future of Gifted Education, World Council for Gifted and Talented Children, Virtual On Demand. (July 2021).
Croft, L. J., & Payne, A., What Gifted Students Say About Teachers Who Make a Difference. Poster presented at the NAGC21, National Association for Gifted Children, Denver, Colorado United States. (November 12, 2021).
Croft, L. J., Focus on Teacher-Student Relationships that Impact Gifted Learners. Conference presentation presented at the Shining a Light on Giftedness, Iowa Talented and Gifted (ITAG) Association, Des Moines, Iowa United States. (October 18, 2021).
Croft, L. J., Professional Learning: An Independent QUEST. Poster presented at the NAGC21, National Association for Gifted Children, Denver, Colorado United States. (November 13, 2021).
Croft, Laurie J. & Warren, Jan. (February-March, 2021). Iowa's Center for Gifted Education: Helping Define Minds, Policies, Practices in Iowa. [Conference presentation]. Iowa Talented and Gifted Association Virtual Convention 2021. Des Moines, IA, United States.
Croft, Laurie J. (February-March, 2021). Changing Minds to Change Identification Practices in Iowa [Conference presentation]. Iowa Talented and Gifted Association Virtual Convention 2021. Des Moines, IA, United States.
Croft, Laurie J. (February-March, 2021). Cluster Grouping: Changing Policies to Serve More Gifted Students [Conference presentation]. Iowa Talented and Gifted Association Virtual Convention 2021. Des Moines, IA, United States.
Foley-Nicpon, M., Doobay, A., & Mahatmya, D. (2021, May). From data to diagnosis: Complexity of understanding 2e students with ASD. Invited presentation at the Summit on the Neuroscience of Twice-Exceptionality, virtual.
Godor, B. P., Szymanski, A., Croft, L. J., & Hoogeveen, L., Identifying the Essential Tensions in Teaching Gifted Students. Panel presented at the Developing the Future of Gifted Education, World Council for Gifted and Talented Children, Virtual Live and Recorded. (August 2021).
Kircher-Morris, E., Krisel, S., Croft, L. J., Beisser, S., & Wayne, K., Panel of Experts. Panel presented at the Shining a Light on Giftedness, Iowa Talented and Gifted (ITAG) Association, Des Moines, Iowa United States. (October 17, 2021).
Lange, R. & Croft, L. (2021, October 4). Differentiation. Baker Teacher Leader Center, Virtual (live and recorded). University of Iowa College of Education, Iowa City, IA, United States.
LeBeau, B, Foley-Nicpon, M., Assouline, S.G. (2021). Impact of COVID-19 on Student Time and Well-being of Academically Talented Students. Conference presetation at NAGC 2021, National Association for Gifted Children, Denver, Colorado, United States. (November 12, 2021).
Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. & Assouline, S.G. (2021, April). Policy: The key to navigating acceleration advocacy. Presented at the meeting of the California Association for the Gifted (virtual).
Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. & Behrens, W. (2021, November). What do counselors need to know about acceleration? Presented at the annual meeting of the National Association for Gifted Children. Denver.
Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (2021, December). Academic acceleration: Is grade-skipping a good idea? Presented at the at the Texas Association for Gifted and Talented annual convention. Dallas, TX.
Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (2021, December). Acceleration: Early entrance to kindergarten or first grade. Presented at the at the Texas Association for Gifted and Talented annual convention. Dallas, TX.
Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (2021, July). Acceleration in Math: Who needs that? Invited presentation for the annual meeting of the Texas Conference for the Advancement of Mathematics Teaching (CAMT) (virtual).
Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (2021, November). Tools and resources for academic acceleration. Presented at the Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education (PAGE) annual convention. Cranberry, PA.
Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (2021, November). Whole-grade acceleration: Making the decision and creating a transition plan. Presented at the Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education (PAGE) annual convention. Cranberry, PA.
Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (2021, October). Digging deeper into whole-grade acceleration. Presented at the annual convention of the Ohio Association for Gifted Children (OAGC). Columbus, OH.
Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (2021, October). Making decisions about grade-skipping. Presented at the annual convention of the Ohio Association for Gifted Children (OAGC). Columbus, OH.
Lupkowski-Shoplik, A., Assouline, S.G., & Lange (2021, October). Academic acceleration 101: The Integrated Acceleration System. Presented at the Illinois Association for Gifted Children (IAGC) annual convention. Virtual.
Lupkowski-Shoplik, A., Assouline, S.G., & Lange (2021, October). Making informed decisions about academic acceleration. Presented at the Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted (WATG) annual convention. Virtual.
Lynch, S.G. (2021, June). Changing minds to change identification practices in Iowa: Blending universal screening with local norms and practices to help language learners gain access to gifted programming. Session presented to the 2021 English Learner Mini Conference hosted by the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency. June 8-10, 2021. Bettendorf, IA.
Lynch, S.G., Ihrig, L.M., Mahatmya, D., Jangjou-Tazehkand, E. (2021, June). Creating and sustaining more equitable and inclusive identification practices. Session presented to the 2021 FOCUS: Equity for all students Summer Learning Conference hosted by Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency. June 23-24, 2021. Pocahontas, IA.
Shaff, T., & Croft, L. J., Gifted Emerging Adults Coming of Age Stories from Our Class and Radio Interviews. Conference presentation presented at the NAGC21, National Association for Gifted Children, Denver, Colorado United States. (November 13, 2021).