Establishing talent development and performance in the German school system – A National Research and School Development Initiative

Recognizing and nurturing students’ potential and strengths is a core responsibility of every school. The LemaS-Transfer Research Network, part of the joint federal and state initiative Leistung macht Schule (“Excellence in Education”), is dedicated to embedding talent development and individualized support sustainably into school structures and teaching practices across Germany. The overarching goal is to design schools in ways that enable all children and adolescents, regardless of their background, gender, or social status, to develop their unique abilities. In doing so, the initiative promotes equitable learning and educational opportunities for all.

To ensure a broad and effective transfer of talent development practices, the initiative relies on school networks: schools that partnered with researchers in the first phase now act as multipliers, sharing their experiences and mentoring new schools. Together, they implement and adapt the LemaS P³roducts — evidence-based tools and approaches developed in Phase I to support talented, gifted and high-achieving students.

Alongside extensive professional development and support programs for participating schools, the interdisciplinary research consortium is investigating key questions about effective transfer processes — specifically how practices, knowledge, and tools for talent development can be successfully established and sustained in diverse school settings.