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This page is intended for those families new to GT or who want a basic overview of gifted education in Jeffco.GT101

WHAT IS A GIFTED STUDENT?

"Gifted and talented children” are those learners between the ages of four and 21 whose abilities, talents, and/or potential for accomplishment are so exceptional or developmentally advanced that they require special provisions to meet their educational programming needs. Children under five who are gifted may also be provided with early childhood special educational services.

Gifted students include students with disabilities (i.e., twice-exceptional) and students with exceptional abilities or potential from all socio-economic and cultural populations. Gifted students are capable of high performance, extraordinary production, or exceptional learning behavior by virtue of any or a combination of these areas of giftedness:

Please see Jeffco GT Frequently asked Questions

If you were not able to attend our Sept 15 GT Info Night presentation, please see these slides and/or video to learn more about gifted identification and programming, including info on Advanced Learning Plans (ALPs) and GT Center Schools!

AREAS OF GIFTEDNESS
  • General or specific intellectual abilities

  • Specific academic aptitude

  • Creative or productive thinking

  • Leadership abilities

  • Visual arts, performing arts or musical abilities

  • Psychomotor abilities


How to Tell a Child He/She is Gifted

Public Attitudes Towards Gifted Education | Institute for Educational  Advancement 

WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO GIFTED LEARNERS IN JEFFCO

All identified students in Colorado should be placed on an Advanced Learning Plan (ALP), which provides goals and strategies for a student’s designated strength area.  This is meant to be a collaborative process including input from the family, student, and teacher, in order to create a meaningful, relevant plan for all stakeholders. Visit our Advanced Learning Plan page for more information.

Some families may be interested in GT Center School programming. While the needs of advanced learners are mainly addressed at each neighborhood school, Jeffco also offers an optional program, the Gifted Center, for highly academic students who are identified as gifted. See our GT Center Schools page for more information on application and programming at these 17 locations throughout the district.

Students who have both an Advanced Learning Plan and either a Special Education IEP or 504 are considered Twice Exceptional (2e). 2e students often have unique challenges. See our 2e webpage for more information.

Our parent/family resource page has information on Jeffco-sponsored parent seminars, presentations, resources and links to a variety of other resources.

The Jeffco Association for Gifted Children (JAGC) is a great place to get more information about parenting gifted children, as well as to support and advocate for gifted education in Jeffco. They help sponsor seminars and events, and also host a GT Ambassadors program for various schools throughout the district.

The Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented (CAGT) is our state gifted advocacy group which offers support, education and information for gifted families and educators. They host an annual conference in October, which includes sessions and events for parents, as well as a Legislative Day at the Capitol in February, with opportunities for parents and students.

The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) is the leading gifted advocacy group in the country, whose mission is to support those who enhance the growth and development of gifted and talented children through education, advocacy, community building, and research. They host an annual conference in November, publish Parenting for High Potential among other periodicals, as well as research articles, position papers and books. They lobby at the national level for gifted education funding and recognition.

Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG) empowers families and communities to guide gifted and talented individuals to reach their goals: intellectually, physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. They sponsor a support group structure for parents, publish a newsletter, provide resources on social-emotional needs of gifted students and also host an annual conference each summer.

See our parent/family resource page for more resources and links.

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