Advantages and Disadvantages The William and Mary Research model is thorough and systematic. This is the major advantage I notice, and I think its effectiveness is in the structure it provides for both students and teachers. Teachers are able to clearly model each phase throughout the research process because each phase is clearly defined. Students are able to understand the relevance of each individual phase and the practicality of the progression. This is important because students are able to understand the why behind the content and the process, and this enables them to own and self-monitor their learning. One disadvantage, though, is that the model seems to address only content without a holistic approach to teaching gifted students. Unlike the Parallel and Integrated models, the William and Mary model focuses solely on developing inquiry and research skills, while ignoring other things that, I believe, are essential to any curriculum for gifted students. The Parallel Curriculum model boasts many advantages; I love the holistic approach to planning that begins with content and follows each aspect of teaching, even lesson/unit closure! The four parallels (Connections, Core, Practice, and Identity) combine to provide an educational experience that accounts for so many of the needs of our gifted students. Also, the approaches used to address these four parallels vary: “There are an infinite number of ways to draw on the parallels. They can be used to revise or design