AP 208

Gifted Programming

Background 

The purpose of this procedure is to outline the District’s philosophy on gifted education, and to establish standards for gifted program design and delivery. 

Procedures 

1. Definitions

  • 1.1 Gifted Children: a student is considered gifted when she/he possesses demonstrated or potential abilities that give evidence of exceptionally high capability with respect to intellect, creativity, or the skills associated with specific disciplines. Students who are gifted often demonstrate outstanding abilities in more than one area. They may demonstrate extraordinary intensity of focus in their particular areas of talent or interest. However, they may also have accompanying disabilities and should not be expected to have strengths in all areas of intellectual functioning. 
  • 1.2 Gifted Education: some students who have been assessed as gifted may demand attention over their entire school career, rather than just occasionally. Gifted education refers to learning experiences developed and coordinated on an individual or group basis, according to long-range goals, to accommodate the extraordinary abilities of students. 
  • 1.3 Enrichment: many students, not designated as gifted, occasionally show the need for broader or deeper educational experiences. The classroom teacher usually responds with options suggested in provincial curricula or other areas. The replacing, supplementing and extending of the core curriculum by teachers is termed enrichment, and not necessarily a ‘gifted’ program. 

2. Gifted Programming

  • 2.1 A program for gifted students must include differentiated curricula and learning strategies developed for academically gifted and creative students. Students within the ‘gifted’ category must be designated utilizing the district assessment protocol as found in the Learning Support Services Quick Reference Guide.
  • 2.2 Current best practice is to operate the program for gifted students as an integrated part of the total school program. This does not preclude separate groups from being formed outside the regular class for particular activities or projects. 
  • 2.3 The program should be available for gifted students in all grades (kindergarten through grade 12) and should incorporate district protocols for gifted programs. 

Last revised: May 2013
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