AISD Goals for Identified Gifted and Talented Students
- To encourage creativity through independent, self-directed learning and the development of research-based advanced-level products and performances
- To develop critical and creative thinking skills
- To encourage the capacity for leadership
- To promote self-confidence and self-evaluation skills
- To guide students to see original solutions to problems, relying on decision-making skills and an appreciation of research and advanced levels of content
- To develop artistic skills that possess breadth, depth and quality
State Definition of Gifted and Talented
19 TAC Chapter 89.1 (1) A child or youth who performs or shows potential for performing at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience or environment and who:
- Exhibits high performance capability in an intellectual, creative or artistic area;
- Possesses an unusual capacity for leadership; or
- Excels in a specific academic field
Characteristics of Gifted Students
- Enjoys challenge
- Has a keen sense of humor
- Is curious innovative, playful with ideas
- May tend to be a loner at times
- Has high expectations of self and others which may lead to frustration
- Generates multiple solutions to problems
- Is sensitive
- Energetically pursues passions and interests
- Has an usual ability to memorize, although may bore with rote memorization
- Enjoys reading; may read at an early age; exhibits knowledge of what is read
- Forms abstract ideas and solutions, perhaps at an early age
- Thinks and acts independently
- Tends to assume responsibility, displays extraordinary leadership skills
- Explores interests that are typically not associated with age-level peers
- Prefers complex tasks
- Comprehends advanced ideas, concepts, implications
- May struggle with own uniqueness, feel lonely or isolated
- Improvises with common materials
- Incorporates richness of imagery in writing, speaking
- May rebel against insignificant or irrelevant expectations or assignments
- Expends considerable time and energy pursuing talents and special interests
