"Each person has the right to learn and to be challenged to learn at the most appropriate level where growth proceeds most effectively." "Building a community of learners into a community of leaders." The 2011-2012 GATE Brochure is now available. |
|
Introduction to Gifted Education
What does "gifted" mean?
Definitions of giftedness vary widely, though all definitions support the central idea that gifted individuals are those who possess outstanding abilities or are capable of exceptional performance. Most definitions also recognize that the abilities and talents are such that they require educational programs and services beyond the typical school offerings (Davis & Rimm, 2004).
Federal Definition
The term "gifted and talented students" means children and youth who give evidence of high performance capability in areas such as intellectual, creative, artistic, or leadership capacity, or in specific academic fields, and who require services or activities not ordinarily provided by the school in order to fully develop such capabilities (PL 100-297, Sec. 4103. Definitions).
State of Ohio Definition
"Gifted" means students who perform or show potential for performing at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared to others of their age, experience, or environment (ORC, Sec. 3324.01).
What are some characteristics of gifted children?
Webb, Meckstroth, & Tolan (1994) identified several typical intellectual characteristics of gifted children:
- Unusually large vocabularies for their age
- Ability to read earlier than most children, often before entering school
- Greater comprehension for the subtleties of language
- Longer attention span, persistence and intense concentration
- Ability to learn basic skills more quickly and with less practice
- Wide range of interests
- Highly developed curiosity and a limitless supply of questions
- Interest in experimenting and doing things differenctly
- Tendency to put ideas or things together in ways that are unususal and not obvious (divergent thinking)
- Ability to retain a great deal of information
- Unusual sense of humor
What's the difference between a bright child and a gifted learner?
The following comparison by Janice Szabos appeared in Challenge Magazine (1989):
| Bright Child | Gifted Child |
| Knows the answers | Asks the questions |
| Is interested | Is highly curious |
| Is attentive | Is mentally and physically involved |
| Has good ideas | Has wild, silly ideas |
| Works hard | Plays around, yet tests well |
| Answers the questions | Discusses in detail, elaborates |
| Top group | Beyond the group |
| Listens with interest | Shows strong feelings and opinions |
| Learns with ease | Already knows |
| 6-8 repetitions for mastery | 1-2 repetitions for mastery |
| Understands ideas | Constructs abstractions |
| Enjoys peers | Prefers adults |
| Grasps the meaning | Draws inferences |
| Completes assignments | Initiates projects |
| Is receptive | Is intense |
| Copies accurately | Creates a new design |
| Enjoys school | Enjoys learning |
| Absorbs information | Manipulates information |
| Technician | Inventor |
| Good memorizer | Good guesser |
| Enjoys straightforward, sequential presentation | Thrives on complexity |
| Is alert | Is keenly observant |
| Is pleased with own learning | Is highly self-critical |