Gifted

Eligibility Criteria

Students are eligible for the gifted education program if they meet the following criteria as outlined by the State of Florida:

     •A need for a special program

     •Superior intellectual development

     •An Intelligence Quotient (IQ) of two or more standard deviations above the mean on an individually

      administered standardized test of intelligence                        

     •A majority of characteristics of gifted children according to a standard scale or checklist

     •Eligibility requirements as outlined in Plan B of the Revised Gifted Rule for Underrepresented

       Populations (for low socioeconomic students and English Language Learners ELL.  

If a child meets the above criteria, the parent/ guardian should contact the Exceptional Student Education Coordinator at the home school to refer the child for screening and evaluation. All students must register at his/her home school. If gifted students are not served at the home school, eligible students for the gifted program are transported to the assigned gifted center. Elementary schools serving gifted students are included on the Elementary Gifted Feeder Pattern section below. The Educational Plan (EP) Team in each school reviews the student's data and determines eligibility for the gifted program. The  plan identifies the student's strengths and weaknesses is developed for each student. This plan is developed cooperatively with the parents to assess the student's present level of performance.

Procedural Safeguards for Exceptions Students Who are Gifted

Procedural Safeguards for Exceptional Students Who Are Gifted  (.pdf)

Program Options

Elementary Schools
Elementary gifted students are offered a range of programs from part-time to full-time. These programs, strategically located throughout the district, are provided through the resource room model and the center model.

Middle Schools
Middle School students may choose appropriate gifted education courses from those available at their schools. Offerings vary among the schools.

High Schools
High Schools offer a number of options for high-ability students. Gifted education classes vary among the schools, and Advanced Placement and Honors classes are available, as well. Magnet programs such as International Baccalaureate, Math-Science- Engineering, Pre-Medicine and Allied Health, Pre-Law and Teacher Academy are also available.

Elementary Gifted Feeder Pattern (.pdf)

Curriculum

What is appropriately differentiated curriculum for gifted learners? To provide appropriate and challenging  educational experiences for gifted students, differentiation may include:

     •acceleration of instruction

     •in-depth study

     •a high degree of complexity

     •advanced content

     •variety in content, process and products

A qualitatively different curriculum for gifted students consists or carefully planned, coordinated learning experiences that meet the specific learning needs of the student. Curricular strategies of enrichment and acceleration are combined to provide flexibility and diversity. Appropriate differentiation allows for increasing levels of advanced, abstract, and complex curriculum that are substantive and respond to the learner's needs.

Teacher Certification

State requirements for endorsement in gifted education include fifteen semester hours of course credit in the following areas of instruction:

     •Nature and Needs of Gifted Students

     •Curriculum for Gifted

     •Theory and Development of Creativity

     •Special Populations of Gifted Students

     •Guidance and Counseling of Gifted

Characteristics of a Gifted Student Gifted children typically display some, but not all, of the following characteristics:

     •Uses an enriched vocabulary

     •Asks many thought-provoking questions

     •Expresses unusual ideas

     •Has a wide range of interests

     •Uses complex sentences

     •Acts independently

     •Displays curiosity

     •Possesses leadership qualities

     •Functions at a high energy level

     •Has long attention span in areas of interest

     •Reads at an early age

     •Understands concept of time

     •Engages in self-directed activities

     •Is sensitive to feelings of others

     •Has a keen sense of humor

     •Is able to conceptualize

     •Learns skills rapidly and without repetition

     •Retains and uses information effectively

     •Wants to know what makes things "tick"

     •Enjoys learning

     •Reasons well

     •Is a perfectionist

     •Prefers older companions or adults

     •Has facility with numbers

Resources

Florida Association for the Gifted at www.flagifted.org

Florida Gifted Network at www.floridagiftednet.org

Duke University News Letter at www.duke.edu/nletter.html

Letter to Parents

English (.pdf)

Portuguese (.pdf)

Spanish (.pdf)

Creole (.pdf)

Gifted Brochure (.pdf)

Gifted HandbooK (.pdf)