Gifted Education
“If you give people tools, [and they
use] their natural ability and their curiosity, they will develop things
in ways that will surprise you very much beyond what you might have expected.”…Bill
Gates
Who are Gifted Learners?
Gifted Learners are children and
youth with outstanding talent who perform or show the potential for performing
at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared with others of
their age, experience, or environment. (U.S. Department of Education, 1993)
What are some characteristics of
Gifted Learners?
•
Rapid learning
•
Extensive stores of information
•
Strong problem-solving abilities
•
Long attention span
•
Sensitivity
•
Perfectionism
•
High degree of energy
•
Wide range of interests
•
Preference for older companions
•
Well-developed sense of humor
•
Early reading; avid reading
•
Ease with puzzles and mazes
•
Maturity in judgment, at times
•
Perseverance
•
Imagination/creativity
(Rogers, 1986; Silverman, Chitwood,
& Waters, 1986)
What should I do if I see these characteristics
in my child?
Speak
with your child’s teacher. They can help you start the “referral process”.
Speak
with the school counselor.
Speak
with the Gifted Resource Teacher at your child’s school.
What is the “referral process”?
Permission
is given to collect information about your child.
Your
child may be tested, observed, interviewed, or all of these.
A
portfolio of work and accomplishments gathered.
The
Gifted Education Committee looks at all of this information and determines
eligibility and services.
The
“referral process” may take several months to complete.
I have more questions that are not
addressed here. Where can I get more information?
page updated 3-12-09