Gifted & Talented Enrichment Program

Although interpretations of the word “gifted” seem limitless, there are a handful of foundational definitions that may be categorized from conservative (related to demonstrated high IQ) to liberal (a broadened conception that includes multiple criteria that might not be measured through an IQ test). 

National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)
Gifted individuals are those who demonstrate outstanding levels of aptitude (defined as an exceptional ability to reason and learn) or competence (documented performance or achievement in top 10% or rarer) in one or more domains. Domains include any structured area of activity with its own symbol system (e.g., mathematics, music, language) and/or set of sensorimotor skills (e.g., painting, dance, sports).

Federal Definition
This definition is taken from the Javits Act, which provides grants for education programs serving bright children from low-income families:
“The term ‘gifted and talented student’ means children and youths who give evidence of higher performance capability in such areas as intellectual, creative, artistic, or leadership capacity, or in specific academic fields, and who require services or activities not ordinarily provided by the schools in order to develop such capabilities fully.” 

U.S. Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) (1993)
In the report titled National Excellence and Developing Talent, the term “gifted” was dropped. Their definition uses the term “outstanding talent” and concludes with the sentence:
“Outstanding talents are present in children and youth from all cultural groups, across all economic strata, and in all areas of human endeavor."

• State Definitions of Gifted and Talented
  Each state has its own definition of gifted and talented.  
  • The New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C. 6A:8-3.1) definition of gifted and talented students states the following: “Those students who possess or demonstrate high levels of ability, in one or more content areas, when compared to their chronological peers in the local school district and who require modifications of their educational program if they are to achieve in accordance with their capabilities.”  
  • Code N.J.A.C. 6A:8-3.1(a)5ii requires all district boards of education to provide appropriate K-12 educational services for gifted and talented students. 
  • Gifted and talented students are those who by virtue of outstanding abilities are capable of high performance and are identified by qualified teachers. These are students who require differentiated educational programs and/or services beyond those normally provided by the regular school program in order to realize their contribution to self and society.

The following standards are from the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC). These standards provide a framework in which to develop opportunities for gifted and talented students. 

Standard 1: Learning and Development
Description: Educators, recognizing the learning and developmental differences of students with gifts and talents, promote ongoing self-understanding, awareness of their needs, and cognitive and affective growth of these students in school, home, and community settings to ensure specific student outcomes. 

Standard 2: Assessment
Description: Assessments provide information about identification, learning progress and outcomes, and evaluation of programming for students with gifts and talents in all domains. 

Standard 3: Curriculum & Instruction
Description: Educators apply the theory and research-based models of curriculum and instruction related to students with gifts and talents and respond to their needs by planning, selecting, adapting, and creating culturally relevant curriculum and by using a repertoire of evidence-based instructional strategies to ensure specific student outcomes. 

Standard 4: Learning Environments
Description: Learning environments foster personal and social responsibility, multicultural competence, and interpersonal and technical communication skills for leadership in the 21st century to ensure specific student outcomes. 

Standard 5: Programming
Description: Educators are aware of empirical evidence regarding (a) the cognitive, creative, and affective development of learners with gifts and talents, and (b) programming that meets their concomitant needs. Educators use this expertise systematically and collaboratively to develop, implement, and effectively manage comprehensive services for students with a variety of gifts and talents to ensure specific student outcomes. 

Standard 6: Professional Development
Description: All educators (administrators, teachers, counselors, and other instructional support staff) build their knowledge and skills using the NAGC/CEC Teacher Standards for Gifted and Talented Education and the National Staff Development Standards. They formally assess professional development needs related to the standards, develop and monitor plans, systematically engage in training to meet the identified needs, and demonstrate mastery of standard. They access resources to provide for release time, funding for continuing education, and substitute support. These practices are judged through the assessment of relevant student outcomes.

For any questions or appeals regarding entrance into the Gifted & Talented Program, please follow the Chair of Command below:

1. Contact the Gifted and Talented teacher.
2. Contact the Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Melissa Gallagher, at mgallagher@lehsd.org.
3. Contact the Superintendent of Schools, Lisa M. Antunes, Ed.D., at lantunes@lehsd.org.

“Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Act” 

All NJ School Districts must comply with the new “Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Act,” which establishes each school district's responsibilities in educating gifted and talented students.  A copy of the document can be accessed by clicking here.  Further, one provision of the law states that each school district must have a complaint policy on gifted and talented education. If you would like to file a complaint about our program, policies, or procedures, please utilize the G&T Complaint Form.