Gifted Education

Elementary Gifted Education
Secondary Gifted Education

Why Gifted Education is Important

When people think “gifted children,” many misconceptions come to mind: they’re all high achievers, they don’t need help or guidance, they have bright futures.  While these can be true in some cases, much of the time they’re not.  Gifted kids have their own issues.  In gifted education, individual needs may be addressed that can help gifted students better understand their emotions, practice appropriate interpersonal relationships, and explore career opportunities in areas of interest.

Gifted children may be far advanced academically; or if they have not already mastered basic material, they may learn it at a more rapid pace compared to their age peers.  In addition, some children may be gifted in domains other than academics or may learn differently.  Creativity and problem solving are recognized areas of giftedness that may not translate to high academics. 

These students may become bored with normal classroom work, resulting in underachievement behaviors that lead to low grades and poor achievement.  They desperately need intellectual stimulation on an appropriate level and in an appropriate format.  These children adjust better socially when allowed to interact at least part time with intellectual peers. 

Definition of Gifted

Intellectually gifted children and youth are those who perform at or have demonstrated the potential to perform at high levels in academic or creative fields when compared with others of their age, experience, or environment.  These children and youth require services not ordinarily provided by the regular school program.  Children and youth possessing these abilities can be found in all populations, across all economic strata, and in all areas of human endeavor.  Gifted students may be found within any race, ethnicity, gender, economic class, or nationality.   In addition, some students with disabilities may be gifted.

Identification

Students are identified for the gifted program using multiple criteria, including aptitude, gifted behaviors, and performance, according to the guidelines of the Alabama State Department of Education.

Location of Gifted Programs

Huntsville City Schools houses gifted programs in each elementary school throughout the system.

Acceleration Procedure

Each elementary and middle school in Huntsville City Schools employs a standard procedure for whole grade or subject acceleration for students performing significantly above grade level.

Alabama State Department of Education - Gifted .

.