Analysis of educational and learning capital for the attention of students with high abilities in Mexico

Ziegler’s framework of educational and learning capital offers a systemic perspective for understanding the factors that influence the development of students with high abilities. By identifying and addressing these different types of capital, educators and policymakers can create interventions and policies that promote equity and success for all students. The Mexican educational system has made efforts to address these capitals, such as the Program for the Educational Attention of Children and Youth with High Abilities and/or Specific Talents. In Mexico, a formal identification process is carried out for students in basic education, which is the first step for intervention with children and adolescents with high abilities. There is also an official intervention for this population under the modality of enrichment and early certification, accreditation, and promotion. Additionally, there are globally recognized initiatives related to STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics). The primary purpose of the present work is to describe the educational attention provided by the Mexican Secretariat of Public Education to students with high abilities, from the perspective of Ziegler’s Actiotope Model of Giftedness. The results indicate that Mexico has made significant investments in strengthening Special Education services. These findings highlight the importance of economic and cultural sub capitals in the development of effective educational programs.