BRIEF HISTORY OF GIFTED EDUCATION IN KANSAS
After much discussion, the 1978 Legislature mandated the implementation of Gifted Education Services in Kansas. In the 2000 Kansas Special Education Regulations (91-40-1), "Gifted" is defined as "performing or demonstrating the potential for performing at significantly higher levels of accomplishment when compared to others of similar age, experience and environment." Gifted children are served under the umbrella of Special Education. Once identified as a student exhibiting gifted characteristics, special services may be required to meet these exceptional students' needs.
How is "giftedness" defined in the 21st century? Why should society care about the future of gifted children? The answer to these questions has far-reaching implications. How these children manage in our society and in our educational system will strongly influence the quality of our future as a society.
--Effective Practices for Gifted Education in Kansas, Kansas Department of Education, August 2001
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GIFTED STUDENT:
REQUIREMENT FOR PLACEMENT IN TARGET (GIFTED EDUCATION) AT SKYLINE:
TARGET Student:
MTSS Tier 2 (Enrichment) Student:
POSSIBLE CHOICES OF IEP PROJECTS OR ACTIVITIES TO MEET GOALS:
After much discussion, the 1978 Legislature mandated the implementation of Gifted Education Services in Kansas. In the 2000 Kansas Special Education Regulations (91-40-1), "Gifted" is defined as "performing or demonstrating the potential for performing at significantly higher levels of accomplishment when compared to others of similar age, experience and environment." Gifted children are served under the umbrella of Special Education. Once identified as a student exhibiting gifted characteristics, special services may be required to meet these exceptional students' needs.
How is "giftedness" defined in the 21st century? Why should society care about the future of gifted children? The answer to these questions has far-reaching implications. How these children manage in our society and in our educational system will strongly influence the quality of our future as a society.
--Effective Practices for Gifted Education in Kansas, Kansas Department of Education, August 2001
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GIFTED STUDENT:
- Demonstrates an outstanding memory
- Possesses a broad base of knowledge
- Uses an advanced vocabulary
- Learns rapidly, easily and efficiently
- Enjoys learning
- Thrives on complexity
- Shows the ability to concentrated for long periods of time
- May exhibit impatience or intolerance
- Asks questions and is curious about many things
- Expresses strong feelings and opinions
- Can be very persistent and highly motivated
- Sets high standards for himself/herself
- Displays an advanced level of humor
- And many more....
REQUIREMENT FOR PLACEMENT IN TARGET (GIFTED EDUCATION) AT SKYLINE:
TARGET Student:
- Teacher recommendation and evidence of exceptional work
- Gifted indicators on individual test of intellectual ability
- Gifted indicators on individual or group achievement test
- Points earned on Gifted Identification Matrix
- An IEP (Individualized Educational Program) is written
- Students participate approximately 2 1/2 - 6 hours per week
MTSS Tier 2 (Enrichment) Student:
- Classroom teacher recommendation
- No testing required
- Students participate up to one hour per week
POSSIBLE CHOICES OF IEP PROJECTS OR ACTIVITIES TO MEET GOALS:
- Independent study on topic of choice
- Computer or iPad multimedia projects
- Critical thinking skills and problem solving
- Creative writing projects
- Kansas Junior Academy of Science
- Social Studies explorations
- National Geographic Bee
- Skyline Science Fair
- Regional Science Fair
- Creative art projects
- Research and reference studies
- Discovering Great Artists research
- Creative thinking and mindbenders
- Junior Great Books literature groups
- Math Olympiads and math problem solving
- Volunteer projects in school and community
- Skyline OWLS site and OWLS lessons
- Kansas Science Olympiad
- First LEGO League robotics
- Scholars' bowl and academic contests
- Analogies and vocabulary enrichment
- ACT/SAT test preparation
- Other topics too numerous to mention...