Gifted Education 101: The Basics (by the Belin-Blank Center)
"What does it mean to be gifted?
The National Association for Gifted Children NAGC says: Children are gifted when their ability is significantly above the norm for their age.
Some Facts: There is no consensus on the exact number of gifted children in the U.S. A standard rule of thumb is that students in the top 10%, in relation to the norm, would benefit from gifted services.
How is talent development different from gifted development?
Gifted education is usually focused on the "all around gifted" student. However, not all high-ability students are gifted in every subject. Some have very specific areas of strength in which their ability is significantly above the norm for their age, but other areas where they are closer to the average student.
Talent development focuses on helping develop students' specific areas of talent. Talent development allows schools to cast a wider net and provide services to more bright students who have needs beyond the typical curriculum.
What are acceleration and enrichment and how do they work together?
Acceleration: Moving through the classroom curriculum at a faster pace or younger age than is typical. There are over 20 different forms of acceleration, including skipping a grade, moving into a higher grade for a single subject only, Advanced Placement courses, curriculum compacting, and telescoping. This option is the most supported by research.
Enrichment: Activities that add or go beyond the existing curriculum. They may occur in the classroom or in a separate setting such as a pull-out program. Enrichment activities allow students to learn richer, broader, and more varied content. Many gifted and talented programs focus only on enrichment activities. Other examples include after school classes and weekend or summer programs.
In many cases, using both enrichment and acceleration provides appropriate challenge for talented students."
Source:
belinblank.org
The National Association for Gifted Children NAGC says: Children are gifted when their ability is significantly above the norm for their age.
Some Facts: There is no consensus on the exact number of gifted children in the U.S. A standard rule of thumb is that students in the top 10%, in relation to the norm, would benefit from gifted services.
How is talent development different from gifted development?
Gifted education is usually focused on the "all around gifted" student. However, not all high-ability students are gifted in every subject. Some have very specific areas of strength in which their ability is significantly above the norm for their age, but other areas where they are closer to the average student.
Talent development focuses on helping develop students' specific areas of talent. Talent development allows schools to cast a wider net and provide services to more bright students who have needs beyond the typical curriculum.
What are acceleration and enrichment and how do they work together?
Acceleration: Moving through the classroom curriculum at a faster pace or younger age than is typical. There are over 20 different forms of acceleration, including skipping a grade, moving into a higher grade for a single subject only, Advanced Placement courses, curriculum compacting, and telescoping. This option is the most supported by research.
Enrichment: Activities that add or go beyond the existing curriculum. They may occur in the classroom or in a separate setting such as a pull-out program. Enrichment activities allow students to learn richer, broader, and more varied content. Many gifted and talented programs focus only on enrichment activities. Other examples include after school classes and weekend or summer programs.
In many cases, using both enrichment and acceleration provides appropriate challenge for talented students."
Source:
belinblank.org