GiftednessGiftedness

By Jean Hussey-StoneBy Jean Hussey-Stone

DefinitionDefinition of Giftedness

A gifted child is one who shows or has the potential for A gifted child is one who shows or has the potential for an exceptional level of performance in one or more an exceptional level of performance in one or more

areas of expression. (Pierangelo and Giuliani). areas of expression. (Pierangelo and Giuliani).

The traditional definition of The traditional definition of someone who is gifted includes someone who is gifted includes those individuals with an IQ of those individuals with an IQ of 130 or higher; however, others 130 or higher; however, others only acknowledge those who only acknowledge those who have an IQ of 160 or higher.have an IQ of 160 or higher.

Exceptional LearnersExceptional Learners

Students with:Students with: Mental retardationMental retardation Learning disabilitiesLearning disabilities Emotional disturbance or behavior disorderEmotional disturbance or behavior disorder Hearing and language impairmentsHearing and language impairments Visual impairmentsVisual impairments Attention deficit hyperactivity disorderAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder Other health and physical impairmentsOther health and physical impairments Severe and multiple disabilitiesSevere and multiple disabilities Gifted and talented studentsGifted and talented students

Why are gifted students Why are gifted students considered Exceptional considered Exceptional Learner?Learner? Teachers need to plan for gifted children so they don’t get Teachers need to plan for gifted children so they don’t get

boredbored Emotional and social needs equal to or greater than those of Emotional and social needs equal to or greater than those of

peerspeers Negative peer pressureNegative peer pressure Drop out due to neglect and apathyDrop out due to neglect and apathy

Five Elements of Five Elements of GiftednessGiftedness

-according to the National Association for -according to the National Association for Gifted ChildrenGifted Children

Types of programs Types of programs included in gifted child included in gifted child curriculumcurriculum

EnrichmentEnrichment

AccelerationAcceleration

Classroom Classroom ManagementManagement

There are many different strategies that can be used to better There are many different strategies that can be used to better enhance the learning experiences for gifted children.enhance the learning experiences for gifted children.

A few to consider would be:A few to consider would be: Pick up the pace of learning.Pick up the pace of learning. Give the child challenging problems.Give the child challenging problems. Create cooperative projects and problems that call for more Create cooperative projects and problems that call for more

creative thought and critical thinking.creative thought and critical thinking. Let the child chair class committees, direct plays, or assume other Let the child chair class committees, direct plays, or assume other

active peer-leadership roles.active peer-leadership roles. Don’t repress creativity by rejecting an unusual idea.Don’t repress creativity by rejecting an unusual idea.

Federal FundingFederal Funding

Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education ProgramStudents Education Program

Statistics

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. 

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 Federal Gifted Education PoliciesEducation Policies                                                                            

Maximillian Sherr - Maximillian Sherr - GiftedGifted

• • The question markThe question mark

• • Local school huge – gang feeding Local school huge – gang feeding groundsgrounds

• • Permit – not guaranteedPermit – not guaranteed

• • Applied to magnet – Max qualifiedApplied to magnet – Max qualified

• • SAS – endowed by the state of CASAS – endowed by the state of CA

Why would you want to do that Why would you want to do that to your child?to your child?

The ConsThe Cons• • Competition, favoritism, the blame Competition, favoritism, the blame

gamegame• • 1.5 to 2 hours of homework, even 1.5 to 2 hours of homework, even

holidaysholidays• • Strong union – can’t fight the systemStrong union – can’t fight the system• • Complaining results in retaliationComplaining results in retaliation• • Gifted are Gifted are MOREMORE sensitivesensitive• • Quality is more important than quantityQuality is more important than quantity

The ProsThe Pros

• • New school LAUSDNew school LAUSD

• • Much less homework (10-20 minutes)Much less homework (10-20 minutes)

• • Better grades, more interestBetter grades, more interest

• • Max says he’s learning a Max says he’s learning a LOTLOT more more

• • Max nowhere near “lost,” as one Max nowhere near “lost,” as one heartlessheartless

teacher predictedteacher predicted

Buncombe County AIGBuncombe County AIGMission StatementMission Statement

The comprehensive instructional program in The comprehensive instructional program in Buncombe county Schools will prepare out Buncombe county Schools will prepare out students to be lifelong learners, effective citizens, students to be lifelong learners, effective citizens, and skilled thinkers.and skilled thinkers.

Program GoalsProgram Goals

Goal 1: Identify students who need differentiated services through the use of Goal 1: Identify students who need differentiated services through the use of multiple criteria.multiple criteria.

Goal 2: Provide an array of services at each grade level to meet the needs of Goal 2: Provide an array of services at each grade level to meet the needs of gifted students.gifted students.

Goal 3: Offer on-going professional development opportunities to build cluster Goal 3: Offer on-going professional development opportunities to build cluster teacher proficiencies, to enhance AIG staff expertise and to support state teacher proficiencies, to enhance AIG staff expertise and to support state licensure in gifted education.licensure in gifted education.

Goal 4: Enhance communication, cooperation and collaboration among Goal 4: Enhance communication, cooperation and collaboration among teachers, administrators, parents, and students regarding services for gifted teachers, administrators, parents, and students regarding services for gifted students.students.

Goal 5: Advocate for the allotment of appropriate resources for the Goal 5: Advocate for the allotment of appropriate resources for the implementation of the Gifted Education Program plan.implementation of the Gifted Education Program plan.

Goal 6: Monitor the effectiveness of services for gifted students working toward Goal 6: Monitor the effectiveness of services for gifted students working toward continuous improvement of the program.continuous improvement of the program.

Indicators of Indicators of Giftedness Giftedness according to Buncombe County Plan and according to Buncombe County Plan and ProceduresProcedures

Student AchievementStudent Achievement Student InterestStudent Interest Student Motivation to LearnStudent Motivation to Learn Student AptitudeStudent Aptitude Student PerformanceStudent Performance Observable Student BehaviorsObservable Student Behaviors

Methods for Methods for Identifying Gifted Identifying Gifted StudentsStudents

Mass screeningMass screening Individual nominationsIndividual nominations TransfersTransfers

Buncombe County AIG Buncombe County AIG BudgetBudget

2007-20082007-2008Local FundingLocal Funding

State FundingState FundingFederal FundingFederal Funding

Title IX GrantTitle IX Grant

$93,000$93,000

$1,045,000$1,045,000

$41,700$41,700

TotalTotal $1,179,700$1,179,700

ReferencesReferences

Krocker-Hymes, K. (2006). Funding Gifted Programs Must Be National Priority. Krocker-Hymes, K. (2006). Funding Gifted Programs Must Be National Priority. Education Education WeekWeek, , 2626(12), 32-34. Retrieved from Academic Search (12), 32-34. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.Premier database.

Samuels, C. (2008). Advocates Worry Gifted Funding Veering Off Course. Samuels, C. (2008). Advocates Worry Gifted Funding Veering Off Course. Education WeekEducation Week, , 2727(24), 19-21. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier (24), 19-21. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.database.

Davidson Institute for Talent Development. Davidson Institute for Talent Development. North Carolina Statistics, Legislation North Carolina Statistics, Legislation and Policies and Policies Retrieved November 3. 2009 from Retrieved November 3. 2009 from http://www.davidsongifted.org/db/state_policy_north_carolina_10028.aspxhttp://www.davidsongifted.org/db/state_policy_north_carolina_10028.aspx

Pierangelo, R. & Giuliani, G.A. (2001). Pierangelo, R. & Giuliani, G.A. (2001). What Every Teacher Should Know about What Every Teacher Should Know about Students with Students with Special NeedsSpecial Needs. Illinois: Research Press.. Illinois: Research Press.

National Association for Gifted Children. National Association for Gifted Children. Standards in Gifted and Talented Standards in Gifted and Talented Education.Education. Retrieved November 2, 2009 from http://www.nagc.org/index.aspx? Retrieved November 2, 2009 from http://www.nagc.org/index.aspx?id=1863id=1863

Sadker, D.M., Sadker, M.P. & Zittleman, K.R. (2008). Sadker, D.M., Sadker, M.P. & Zittleman, K.R. (2008). Teachers, Schools, and Teachers, Schools, and Society. Society. New New York: McGraw-Hill.York: McGraw-Hill.

North Carolina Association for the Gifted and Talented. North Carolina Association for the Gifted and Talented. Gifted Children are…Gifted Children are… Retrieved November 2, 2009 from http://www.ncagt.org/index.php?Retrieved November 2, 2009 from http://www.ncagt.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=39&Itemid=46option=com_content&task=view&id=39&Itemid=46