Dimensions of Mathematical Thinking and Learning in ACCEL

Sternberg (2017) summarizes the history of identification of giftedness in the 20th century and presents a case for the shortcomings of measures such as IQ for problem-solving skills required in the 21st century. The Active Concerned Citizenship and Ethical Leadership (ACCEL) model is proposed to replace the outdated construct of IQ, particularly for the field of gifted education. In this commentary, the mathematical dimensions of ACCEL are teased out in contrast to its presence in psychometric testing. Further, what is considered relevant in mathematics for learners today is addressed in relation to the skills outlined in the ACCEL model. [For Sternberg's paper, "ACCEL: A New Model for Identifying the Gifted," see EJ1148989.]