Gifted and talented children and youth are those students with outstanding abilities, identified at preschool, elementary, and secondary levels. The potential of gifted students requires differentiated and challenging educational programs and/or services beyond those provided in the general school program. Students capable of high performance include those with demonstrated achievement or potential ability in any one or more of the following areas: general intellectual, specific academic subjects, creativity, leadership and visual and performing arts.

Visit the Professional Development for Educators page to find training and networking opportunities for educators who work with gifted students. Registration for the 2012 Gifted and Talented Education Symposium is now available.

Registration and lodging are free for Minnesota public school administrators who attend the Hormel Foundation Gifted and Talented Education Symposium for the first time through funding provided by the William D. Radichel Foundation. The event will be held June 11-14, 2012, in Austin, Minnesota. Visit the symposium website for information regarding the Pre-Conference, General Symposium and Administrator Day. Contact Wendy Behrens with questions or to access foundation funding.
 
Gifted and Talented Program Design and Evaluation. The Pre-K–12 Gifted Education Programming Standards provide the basis for design and review of district and school site programming for highly able learners. They clearly articulate student outcomes and evidence-based practices. View the standards on the National Association for Gifted Children website.

Starting a Parent Group E-Guide. High-quality education often exists in places where there are strong parent groups. Download Starting and Sustaining a Parent Group to Support Gifted Children from the National Association for Gifted Children. The advice and examples included come directly from the experiences of parents of gifted children who have learned, firsthand, how to work with and encourage others to speak out in support of the learning needs of gifted students.

The Minnesota Scholars of Distinction program nurtures and recognizes distinguished achievement by highly motivated, self-directed students. Each specialty area was developed through partnerships of educators, the business community and others. Students may now apply for Scholars of Distinction Awards in Leadership, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Theater Arts. For information about the criteria, timelines and application process for a 2012 award, visit the Scholars of Distinction page.

Acceleration is an intervention that moves students through an educational program at a more rapid rate than their age-mates. The goal of acceleration is to tailor the level and complexity of the curriculum to the ability and academic readiness of individual children. Read the Frequently Asked Questions for more information. The Institute for Research and Policy (IRPA) Guidelines for Developing an Academic Acceleration Policy contains an easy-to-use checklist to guide policy development. Visit the IRPA website.

Legislation
Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.15 GIFTED and TALENTED STUDENTS PROGRAM (a) and (b), permit school districts and charter schools to identify students who are gifted and talented, develop and evaluate programs to serve them locally and provide staff development to ensure that they have access to challenging educational programs. The legislation also provides guidance for districts to adopt procedures for assessing and identifying students.

Section (c) directs school districts and charter schools to adopt procedures for the academic acceleration of gifted and talented students that include an assessment of students' readiness and motivation for acceleration and a match between the curriculum and the students' academic needs. (Districts may wish to implement policies that reflect gifted and talented best practices, consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.15.)

Gifted and talented revenue (Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.10 Subd. 2 (b)) provides school districts and charter schools with $12 times a district’s adjusted marginal cost pupil units (AMCPU). Uses of this revenue:

1.  Identify gifted and talented students.
2.  Provide education programs for gifted and talented students.
3.  Provide staff development to prepare teachers to best meet the unique needs of gifted and talented students.

The Gifted and Talented Advisory Council will meet several times during the school year.

Document Download:

• FAQ: Gifted and Talented Legislation 
  This resource answers questions about Minnesota's gifted and talented legislation
• Gifted and Talented Youth Week 
  Governor Dayton's proclamation