Gifted education is known under a variety of different names, including Gifted and Talented Education (GATE), and Talented and Gifted (TAG or G/T). These titles are broad terms for programs that engage with special practices, theories, and procedures intended to target the needs of children who have been identified as gifted or talented learners. While there is no globally agreed-upon standard for what being “gifted” is, the National Association for Gifted Children defined a gifted student as an individual who demonstrated an outstanding aptitude or competence in one or more areas or domains.
The Schools
A gifted learner can be identified through certain fitting tests and percentile rankings. If your child has qualified for the title, the next step is naturally to search for an appropriate school for his or level or educational capacity. There are a few things to keep in mind about gifted and talented schools, especially for newly-initiated parents.
- Varying Curricula – There is no standard curriculum across the board of talented schools. The Department of Education requires that each school addresses the Common Core standards, but aside from this schools are given relatively free reign to develop their own curricula.
- School Options – From district to district there are different gifted programs available or not available, having to do with factors such as numbers of qualifying students.
- Different Structures – Some schools may use similar programs adhered to in regular educational institutions, merely at an accelerated pace. Others may focus on the dynamic of the students individually and have more fluid structures.
Fortunately, there is an enormous amount of information readily available to any curious parent’s fingertips regarding gifted schools. Finding the right school may seem like a difficult task, but researching what your child needs versus what schools might proffer is not only important but critical to the success of your gifted student’s education. It is by no means impossible to suitably place your child, as long as you have the will and the child has the desire.
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