A retrospective historical study of a 40-year gifted and talented program in a large urban school system was conducted between 2015 and 2019. Current and former program administrators completed personal interviews and surveys concerning the program's services, challenges, improvements, and impacts. Relevant student enrollment data, program artifacts, evaluation reports, newspaper accounts, and curricular documents were examined to supplement the supervisors' analyses. A description was provided

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... of the consequences of a United States Middle District Court-ordered consent decree desegregation agreement associated with the policies upon student recruitment, identification, placement, curricular enhancements, and program settings within the gifted and talented program. The study also presents an account of the evolution of a gifted and talented program and its effect upon students, teachers, school system administrators, and the greater community. Important historical perspectives regarding the gifted and talented program's development, policy changes, and influences are summarized.