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Gifted and Talented Education

Definition of Gifted and Talented
 

Gifted children means "those persons between the ages of four and twenty-one whose aptitude or competence in abilities, talents, and potential for accomplishment in one or more domains are so exceptional or developmentally advanced that they require special provisions to meet their educational programming needs." Gifted and talented children are hereafter referred to as gifted students.

 

Children under five who are gifted may also be provided with early childhood special educational services. Gifted students include gifted students with disabilities (i.e. twice exceptional) and students with exceptional abilities or potential from all socio-economic and ethnic, cultural populations. Gifted students are capable of high performance, exceptional production, or exceptional learning behavior by virtue of any or a combination of these areas of giftedness:

 

  • General or specific intellectual ability

  • Specific academic aptitude

  • Creative or productive thinking

  • Leadership abilities

  • Visual arts, performing arts, musical or psychomotor abilities

 

Gifted Children's Bill of Rights

 

You have a right to:

■ know about your giftedness.
■ learn something new every day.
■ be passionate about your talent area without apologies.
■ have an identity beyond your talent area.
■ feel good about your accomplishments.
■ make mistakes.
■ seek guidance in the development of your talent.
■ have multiple peer groups and a variety of friends.
■ choose which of your talent areas you wish to pursue.
■ not to be gifted at everything.
 
Written by Del Siegle (NAGC President, 2007 - 2009)