Gifted and Talented
Definition of Gifted & Talented
In Colorado, gifted and talented students are included in the legal definition of exceptional students (CRS 22-20-103; CRS 22-26-101-104, 1CCR 301-8). Aurora Public Schools recognizes the obligation to provide instructional and support services to all exceptional students K-12.
Gifted and talented students are those students between the ages of five (5) and twenty-one (21) whose learning capacity and potential for accomplishment are so exceptional or developmentally advanced that they require special provisions to meet their educational and affective needs. Gifted and talented students are capable of advanced learning and performance in any combination of the following:
Intellectual ability
Specific academic aptitude
Creative or productive thinking
Leadership and human relations skills
High Potential Learners
In our classrooms we have many students who may not be eligible for gifted services, but who demonstrate high potential as learners, leaders, and producers. These students also need appropriate programming; including the opportunity to work with rich and demanding curriculum that can bring potential and promise to the surface. Close monitoring of these students may lead to gifted identification.
The Gifted & Talented Identification Process
The purpose of the Gifted & Talented identification process is to match students’ academic and affective needs with services that will afford them the opportunity to demonstrate academic growth. The emphasis should not be on the “gifted” label, but on student learning needs. The nomination and assessment process is as follows:
Student Search: This involves the active searching for students who perform or show potential for performing at exceptional levels when compared with those of similar age, language skills, experience, or environment. Nominations are made by any knowledgeable person: school staff, parents/guardians, peers and/or self.
Nomination: During the nomination phase, supporting evidence (i.e., cognitive and culture free measures, academic aptitude and performance, language acquisition skills, and teacher, parent, and student feedback, etc.) is collected by the school’s AAGS team.
Recognition/Identification and Services: Each school’s AAGS team reviews the nominations and makes decisions regarding the services needed to meet each student’s academic and affective needs. An Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) is designed.
Review: AAGS students’ growth and achievement is closely monitored. Students will have an annual ALP review to determine the appropriateness of his/her differentiated services; however, a review may occur at any time, as needed. Student progress is recorded and shared with parents/guardians. Conferencing will be necessary for a change in service.
Frequently Asked Questions about Gifted & Talented
1. What are some characteristics of a gifted child?
A gifted child may show strengths in many of the following areas: communication, motivation, humor, inquiry, insight, interests, problem solving, memory, reasoning, imagination/creativity, leadership, and language acquisition.
2. Can a child be both learning-disabled and gifted?
Yes. A “twice-exceptional” child exhibits remarkable talents or strengths in some areas and disabling weaknesses in others. Special considerations are made for these students when designing appropriate services.
3. If one of my children is identified as gifted, does that mean that his/her brothers or sisters will be too?
When one child from a family has been selected to receive gifted services, it is recommended that all children from that family be considered for Gifted & Talented nomination.
4. How will my child’s education be different if they are identified as advanced or gifted?
Instruction may be at a more advanced level, quicker pace, more in-depth and require students to think at higher levels. Students may participate in special projects, special classes, interest-based research, as well as, have opportunities to work with other high potential/gifted students.
When appropriate educational programming for gifted students is provided, you can expect the following:
Students will demonstrate measurable growth, sometimes more than a year of growth, in their strength area, for every year they are in school.
Students will be challenged. School work will not be easy for them.
5. What kind of training do teachers of gifted students receive?
Teachers have access to in-district training as well as outside district conferences and workshops. The APS Advanced Academic and Gifted Services Department works directly with Gifted & Talented leaders in every school to provide classroom teachers with necessary training and support.
6. What can I read that will help me learn more about gifted?
Reaching New Horizons: Gifted and Talented Education for Culturally Diverse Students - J. A. Castellano and E.I. Diaz
Growing Up Gifted - Barbara Clark
The Survival Guide for Parents of Gifted Kids
If you would like to initiate the GIFTED IDENTIFICATION process for your child, please complete this form. Be advised, you will need approximately 30 minutes to complete the entire document. There is not a way to save your progress in this form.
Once this form is complete and submitted, your school's Gifted Education Facilitator will be notified. They will then gather additional necessary evidence/data to complete the process.
Your facilitator will be in touch with you within 30 school days of receipt of this referral to update you on the process.
Kim Opferman
Advanced Academics and Gifted Services Facilitator
Gifted and Talented Resources
