Defining+Gifted



**//How is gifted defined in Alabama?//**
(D.JLove)

Gifted students are those who perform at high levels in academic or creative fields when compared to others of their age, experience, or environment. These students require services not ordinarily provided by the regular school program. Students possessing these abilities can be found in all populations, across all economic strata, and in all areas of human endeavor.



//How do we identify gifted students in Alabama?//
(D.JLove) A student may be referred for consideration for gifted services by teachers, counselors, administrators, parents, or guardians, peers, self, or any other individuals with knowledge of the student's abilities. Additionally, all second grade students will be observed as potential gifted referrals using a gifted checklist. For each student referred, information is gathered in the following three areas: The scores from the assessments/items used are entered on a matrix where points are assigned according to established criteria. The total number of points earned determines if the student qualifies for gifted services.
 * ** Aptitude ** - Aptitude should be assessed through an individual or group test of intelligence or creativity.
 * ** Characteristics ** - A behavior rating scale designed to assess gifted behaviors is completed by a classroom teacher.
 * ** Performance ** - At least three indicators of performance at a gifted level must be submitted. These may include, but are not limited to, achievement test scores, grades, products, work samples, and/or portfolios.

**//What services are provided through gifted education in Alabama//?**
(D.JLove) A variety of service delivery options are available for gifted students throughout the state. Reprinted from Questions and Answers on Gifted Education In Alabama 2000 Alabama State Department of Education Ed Richardson State Superintendant of Education
 * ** Resource Room Pull-Out Programs ** - Students attend resource room classes for anywhere from one hour a day to one full day a week. A differentiated curriculum designed to meet the abilities and interests of the students is offered.
 * ** Self-Contained Classes/Schools for Gifted Students ** - Students attend classes or schools with curricula specifically designed for gifted students or offering a broader range of content than regular classes/school.
 * ** Content Area Classes ** - Pace and content are more advanced than similar classes for typical students.
 * ** Elective Courses ** - Content and pace are specific to the abilities and interests of gifted students.
 * ** Seminars ** - Scheduled regularly or intermittently, seminars provide a supplement to the regular class by offering intense exploration of academic topics or current issues.
 * ** Mentorships ** - Students work under the guidance of an expert in a field and address real problems associated with the profession.
 * ** Independent Study ** - Students engage in exploratory study or pursue in-depth studies independently of regular classwork.
 * ** Joint Enrollment ** - High school students complete coursework at local community colleges and/or universities for college credit.
 * ** Grade/Subject Acceleration ** - Students with exceptional abilities in a particular subject, or across all subjects, may attend classes at a higher level or skip a grade level.
 * ** Cluster Grouping ** - Students are grouped in regular classrooms according to abilities so that several gifted students would be in one classroom instead of one gifted students in each class.
 * ** Curriculum Compacting ** - A process to streamline the grade level curriculum by eliminating material that students have already mastered. Students are pre-tested on a unit of study and are not required to further study objectives that are mastered. Time is then spent on acceleration or enrichment of the curriculum.
 * ** Guidance and Counseling ** - Students are helped to understand and evaluate their special needs and gifts and to utilize their gifted through individual, group, educational, or career counseling.

(D.JLove)

Federal Definition of Gifted Students, children, or youth who give evidence of high achievement capability in areas such as intellectual, creative, artistic, or leadership capacity, or in specific academic fields, and who need services and activities not ordinarily provided by the school in order to fully develop those capabilities

This definition is currently located in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Reprinted from FAQs on NAGC.org (J. Bumpers)