What is Gifted & Talented?

What is a gifted student? A student who gives evidence of high achievement in areas such as intellectual, creative, artistic, or leadership capacity, or in specific academic fields. A student who needs services or activities not ordinarily provided by the school in order to fully develop those capacities. Federal Register: Volume 70, No. 81; Section

How does a student qualify in the area of Intellectual Ability? Scoring in the top 5 percent on a statistically valid and reliable measurement tool of intellectual ability At present, students are identified in Academic Aptitude/Achievement if they have high achievement Several students will be targeted for IQ tests later this year

How does a student qualify in the area of Creativity/Divergent Thinking? In the past, the categories for this area were Critical Thinking and Creativity Scoring in the top 5 percent on a statistically valid and reliable measurement tool of creativity/divergent thinking

How does a student qualify in the area of Academic Aptitude/Achievement? Scoring in the top 15 percent of academic performance in a total subject score on a statistically valid and reliable measurement tool of academic achievement/aptitude, or a standardized assessment, such as a NRT or CRT Identification in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, or science

How does a student qualify in the area of Leadership? The student is recognized as possessing the ability to lead, guide, or influence the actions of others as measured by objective standards Supportive documentation includes elected or appointed positions, leadership checklists, Learning Styles Inventory, and the KMMPI (indicates talent in art, music, creative imagination, initiative, and leadership) No school can identify more than 15 percent of its student population through this category

How does a student qualify in the area of Visual and Performing Arts? The student has outstanding talent in any imaginative art form; including, but not limited to drawing, printing, sculpture, jewelry making, music, dance, speech, debate, or drama Supportive documentation includes surveys, portfolios, awards from competitions, and KMMPI No school can identify more than 15 percent of its student population through this category

How does a student receive gifted and talented service in subsequent years? If a student is identified in Intellectual Ability, Creativity/Divergent Thinking, or Academic Aptitude/Achievement, the student does not have to reapply for the program each year The student must be reevaluated at least every 3 years through 10 grade If a student is identified in Leadership or Visual and Performing Arts, the student must be reevaluated annually

What is the greatest change for the year? ALL students have to be reevaluated and the new rules must be applied We have until the last day of the year to qualify students as a part of the yearly count

What changes has the SFIS GAT Program been making? Testing, surveying, and inventorying of students all year New programs in the areas of leadership, art, drama, and music Funding will be the average of the past three years SFIS GAT will try to maintain approximately the same number of students as in the past

Questions about the new rules