Gifted Education Team

What is Giftedness?

What is giftedness? Every school district, education professional, private or government organization, state or country, defines giftedness in different ways. There isn't a single definition that completely explains who a gifted individual is or one test or screening that allows us to accurately identify an individual as gifted.

Gifted children may be academically high achievers, under-achievers, or they may not achieve and be unsuccessful in the classroom environment. Some gifted children, called "twice exceptional", have hidden learning disabilities that mask their giftedness or their giftedness masks their disability and they require special instructional interventions.

Eagle County School District Definition of Giftedness:

Eagle County School District has chosen to adopt the Colorado Department of Education definition for giftedness:

State Definition

The Colorado definition for Gifted and Talented Students references the Rules for the administration of the Exceptional Children’s Educational Act (I CCR 301-8, Section 2220-R-8.01 et seq.)

Gifted children mean those persons between the ages of five and twenty-one whose abilities, talents, and potential for accomplishment are so outstanding that they require special provisions to meet their educational needs. Children under five who qualify may also be served. Gifted students are capable of high performance in any or a combination of these areas:

 

• General intellectual ability

• Specific academic aptitude

• Creative, productive thinking

• Leadership and human relations skills

• Visual and performing arts

For more information on the Eagle County Schools Gifted Program... 

 


A Holistic, Common-sense Definition of Giftedness: 

 

"Giftedness is a greater awareness, a greater sensitivity, and a greater ability to

understand and transform perceptions into intellectual and emotional experiences."

Annemarie Roeper

 

 

So, how might we recognize Giftedness when we see it?: 

From www.byrdseed.com (a Gifted Classroom resource):

 

Eleven Lists Of Gifted Characteristics

I always find a list of the common characteristics of giftedness useful when thinking about my class. However, one list is never enough. So, here’s a list of eleven lists of gifted characteristics and identifiers. Each one offers a slightly different look at the gifted mind.

 

 

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