Gifted and Talented EducationAcademic Excellence :

The gifted and talented program provides leadership, coordination and consultation services for educators, administrators and parents of gifted students. The program supports schools in responding to the needs of gifted and talented students and collaborates with postsecondary institutions, networks, and others interested in gifted and talented education.

Minnesota is a local control state, which allows districts to select the method for identifying students who qualify for Gifted and Talented services. Gifted and Talented programs, by design, capitalize on the special cognitive needs of students and should be distinguished from enrichment activities available to all students.

ANNOUNCING - 2008 Gifted and Talented Youth Week
Governor Tim Pawlenty has proclaimed October 18-25, 2008 Gifted and Talented Youth Week to recognize the unique potential and needs of gifted and talented youth. It is also an excellent opportunity to laud the parents, teachers, counselors and psychologists who work with this group of students. These heroes provide support through persistent advocacy aimed at understanding the instructional and affective needs of gifted learners. Their sustained efforts, coupled with the organized advocacy of the Minnesota Council for Gifted and Talented (MCGT) and the Minnesota Educators of Gifted and Talented (MEGT), help make our state one in which gifted learners are honored and valued. The proclamation is posted below.

NEW! Calendar of MDE Workshops, Trainings and Meetings
The Minnesota Department of Education, in response to input from Website visitors, is pleased to announce the launch of an agency-wide calendar. The calendar includes all MDE-sponsored training, meetings and events. Search and sort features allow you to find events by date, title, location and sponsoring program area. View the calendar by using the “Calendar” link at the top of this page.

Minnesota Scholars of Distinction program nurtures and recognizes distinguished achievement by highly motivated students. Each speciality area was developed through partnerships of educators, business and others. To earn this recognition, students must complete required work in Minnesota's Academic Standards, demonstrate mastery of complex subject matter and apply their knowledge to challenging projects. Areas include: Applied Geography, Leadership, Mathematics, Science and Theater Arts.  Students interested in the program: * Complete the Intent to Apply form.

Parent Information on Acceleration. 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.

2007 Legislation. The K-12 Education Omnibus Finance Bill provides $13.8 billion in state spending for the next two years, a $789 million (6.1 percent) increase. Gifted and Talented Revenue (Section 7). Beginning in FY 2008, increases gifted and talented revenue from $9 to $12 times a district’s adjusted marginal cost pupil units (AMCPU). Article 2, Section 8 includes a provision requiring school districts to adopt policies and procedures for the academic acceleration of gifted and talented students. Gifted and talented students program (Section 8). (c) Directs school districts to adopt procedures for 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. View summary of 2007 Omnibus E-12 Education Act Chapter 146.  (Districts may wish to implement policies that reflect Gifted and Talented best practices, consistent with Minn. Stat. §120B.15.)

The Gifted and Talented Advisory Council will meet several times during the 2007-2008 school year. View the information sheet below for member and meeting information.

Contact:  Wendy Behrens, Gifted and Talented Education Specialist - 651-582-8786

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