Gifted Child Find
We’re looking for highly Intellectual potential students
Belief Statement
Intellectual giftedness is found throughout diverse populations and crosses all economic and cultural boundaries. Early identification and intervention are often required to meet the unique needs of these children.
Eligibilty Definition and Criteria
A student whose intellectual abilities and potential for achievement are so outstanding that special provisions are required to meet his/her educational needs is considered gifted.
Eligibility for services as a gifted student is based on evaluation in each of the following component areas:
Academic Achievement
Creative Thinking
Motivation
Academic Performance
Cognition/Intelligence
Characteristics of Giftedness
Although no two gifted students are exactly alike, these are some characteristics which gifted children share (in various combinations). Listed below are a few characteristics gifted students may exhibit:
Achievement
Large storehouse of information on school or non-school topics
History of outstanding achievement as evidenced by grades, standardized test scores, etc.
Creative Thinking
Effective (often innovative) strategies for recognizing and solving problems
Unusually keen sense of humor (gentle or hostile)
Frustration with traditional thinking
Motivation
Evidence of desire to learn
Intense (sometimes unusual) interests
Academic Performance
Questions, experiments, explores, challenges others
Unusual emotional depth, leadership, and ability to deal with diversity
Cognition / Intelligence
Highly expressive and effective use of words, numbers, symbols, etc.
Logical approaches to figuring out solutions. Impatient with repetition
The Referral Process
Anyone, including the parent(s), guardian, or community professional may refer a student for screening and possible evaluation.
A screening team of educational professionals considers screening information, previous evaluations, and teacher/parent input to determine if a comprehensive evaluation is needed. The team’s decision is based on multiple data sources.
An assessment team will determine the types of assessment needed. All procedural safeguards are followed to ensure evaluation procedures are non-discriminatory.
Services for Gifted Students
Special services are often required to meet the unique needs of gifted children. A team of professionals and the child’s parent(s) plan the student’s educational program based on the assessment information obtained through the evaluation process.
For more information contact:
Director of Special Education, Testing, and Guidance Services
423-547-8109