Giftedness
By Robert Henderson, Darrin Graves and Jean Hussey-Stone
Definition of Giftedness
A gifted child is one who shows or has the potential for
an exceptional level of performance in one or more
areas of expression. (Pierangelo and Giuliani).
The traditional definition of
someone who is gifted includes
those individuals with an IQ of
130 or higher; however, others
only acknowledge those who
have an IQ of 160 or higher.
Exceptional Learners
Students with:
 Mental retardation
 Learning disabilities
 Emotional disturbance or behavior disorder
 Hearing and language impairments
 Visual impairments
 Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
 Other health and physical impairments
 Severe and multiple disabilities
 Gifted and talented students
Why are gifted students considered
Exceptional Learner?
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Teachers need to plan for gifted children so they don’t get
bored
Emotional and social needs equal to or greater than those of
peers
Negative peer pressure
Drop out due to neglect an apathy
Five Elements of Giftedness
-according to the National Association for Gifted Children
Types of programs included in
gifted child curriculum
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Enrichment
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Acceleration
Classroom Management
There are many different strategies that can be used to better
enhance the learning experiences for gifted children.
A few to consider would be:
 Pick up the pace of learning.
 Give the child challenging problems.
 Create cooperative projects and problems that call for more
creative thought and critical thinking.
 Let the child chair class committees, direct plays, or assume other
active peer-leadership roles.
 Don’t repress creativity by rejecting an unusual idea.
Federal Funding
Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented
Students Education Program
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Originally passed by Congress in 1988 as part of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act to support the development of talent in U.S.
schools.
The only federal program dedicated specifically to gifted and talented
students, which does not fund local gifted education programs.
The purpose of the Act is to orchestrate a coordinated program of
scientifically based research, demonstration projects, innovative
strategies, and similar activities that build and enhance the ability of
elementary and secondary schools to meet the special educational needs
of gifted and talented students.
Federal Gifted Education Policies
State Funding
North Carolina Statistics
ALL DATA FROM 2006-2007 (unless otherwise noted)
Total Student Population (K-12)
1,365,000
Number of Identified Gifted Students
150,000
State Funding for Gifted and Talented Education
$50,739,625 (2004-2005)
$48,308,139 (2003-2004)
Maximillian Sherr - Gifted
• The question mark
• Local school huge – gang feeding grounds
• Permit – not guaranteed
• Applied to magnet – Max qualified
• SAS – endowed by the state of CA
Why would you want to do that to your
child?
The Cons
• Competition, favoritism, the blame game
• 1.5 to 2 hours of homework, even
holidays
• Strong union – can’t fight the system
• Complaining results in retaliation
• Gifted are MORE sensitive
• Quality is more important than quantity
The Pros
• New school LAUSD
• Much less homework (10-20 minutes)
• Better grades, more interest
• Max says he’s learning a LOT more
• Max nowhere near “lost,” as one heartless
teacher predicted
Buncombe County AIG
Mission Statement
The comprehensive instructional program in
Buncombe county Schools will prepare out
students to be lifelong learners, effective citizens,
and skilled thinkers.
Program Goals
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Goal 1: Identify students who need differentiated services through the use of
multiple criteria.
Goal 2: Provide an array of services at each grade level to meet the needs of
gifted students.
Goal 3: Offer on-going professional development opportunities to build cluster
teacher proficiencies, to enhance AIG staff expertise and to support state
licensure in gifted education.
Goal 4: Enhance communication, cooperation and collaboration among
teachers, administrators, parents, and students regarding services for gifted
students.
Goal 5: Advocate for the allotment of appropriate resources for the
implementation of the Gifted Education Program plan.
Goal 6: Monitor the effectiveness of services for gifted students working toward
continuous improvement of the program.
Indicators of Giftedness
according to Buncombe County Plan and Procedures
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Student Achievement
Student Interest
Student Motivation to Learn
Student Aptitude
Student Performance
Observable Student Behaviors
Methods for Identifying Gifted
Students
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Mass screening
Individual nominations
Transfers
Buncombe County AIG Budget
2007-2008
Local Funding
$93,000
State Funding
$1,045,000
Federal Funding
Title IX Grant
Total
$41,700
$1,179,700
References
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Krocker-Hymes, K. (2006). Funding Gifted Programs Must Be National Priority. Education
Week, 26(12), 32-34. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.
Samuels, C. (2008). Advocates Worry Gifted Funding Veering Off Course. Education Week,
27(24), 19-21. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.
Davidson Institute for Talent Development. North Carolina Statistics, Legislation and Policies
Retrieved November 3. 2009 from
http://www.davidsongifted.org/db/state_policy_north_carolina_10028.aspx
Pierangelo, R. & Giuliani, G.A. (2001). What Every Teacher Should Know about Students with
Special Needs. Illinois: Research Press.
National Association for Gifted Children. Standards in Gifted and Talented Education.
Retrieved November 2, 2009 from http://www.nagc.org/index.aspx?id=1863
Sadker, D.M., Sadker, M.P. & Zittleman, K.R. (2008). Teachers, Schools, and Society. New
York: McGraw-Hill.
North Carolina Association for the Gifted and Talented. Gifted Children are… Retrieved
November 2, 2009 from
http://www.ncagt.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=39&Itemid=46