A recent proposal by U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley and Bob Casey in regards to the No Child Left Behind ACT aims to ensure that federal policy does not overlook high-ability students.

The To Aid Gifted and High-Ability Learners by Empowering the Nation's Teachers Act (TALENT) is designed to increase the focus of gifted students by including them in the school, district and state planning process that exists under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Under the proposal, the expectations would increase for teachers to have skills to address the special learning needs of various populations of students, which includes high-ability and gifted students. It would also provide professional development grants to educators in better understanding how to recognize and respond to the needs of this demographic.

"Our legislation would make the modifications needed to federal education policy to develop and encourage the high achievement that is possible for so many gifted and talented students and, in turn, enhance the future prosperity of our nation," said Chuck Grassley.

According to the National Association for Gifted Children, there are nearly 3 million academically gifted children in grades K-12 in the U.S.