Research on the Schoolwide Enrichment Model: Four decades of insights, innovation, and evolution

Abstract

The process of talent development with children and young adults who have participated in programs based on the Enrichment Triad and the Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM) has been the focus of research by Renzulli and Reis, as well as other scholars and colleagues, for over four decades. Periodic summaries of this extensive research have been completed and have informed the evolution of the SEM approach. In this research synthesis, we describe almost four decades of research on this model, focusing primarily on the most important syntheses and research that has been published in peer reviewed journals. This synthesis of research suggests that the SEM is broadly and widely used across the globe and leads to positive outcomes for academically talented and high potential students, in addition to being a source of schoolwide enrichment that provides challenging, strength-based opportunities for all students.