Maryland State defines a gifted and talented student as an elementary or secondary student who is identified by professionally qualified individuals as:
Having outstanding talent and performing, or showing the potential for performing, at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared with other students of a similar age, experience, or environment;
Exhibiting high performance capability in intellectual, creative, or artistic areas;
Possessing an unusual leadership capacity; or
Excelling in specific academic fields.
(Maryland Annotated Code, §8-202)
This definition is also used in AACPS to define a Gifted and Talented student.
The Annotated Code of Maryland and Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) requires school districts to conduct a universal screening process to identify students for Gifted and Talented services. AACPS conducts universal screening in grades 2, 5, and 7.
Click here to learn more about the Universal Screening process in AACPS.
As outlined in the AACPS “Gifted and Talented Identification” Regulation and Maryland COMAR GT Regulations, parents who disagree with the identification determinination have a right to appeal this decision.
Click here to learn more about the GT Identification Appeal Process.
Students transferring to Anne Arundel County with a prior GT Identification are not automatically accepted into the ALPs Program. The Advanced Learner Programs Office must review each student to determine if they can be granted GT Reciprocity. Students who transfer to AACPS without a formal GT Identification, but are demonstrating advanced learning capabilities may be considered for the ALPs Program on a case-by-case basis.
Students transferring to Anne Arundel County with a prior GT Identification are not automatically accepted into the ALPs Program. The Advanced Learner Programs Office must review each student to determine if they can be granted GT Reciprocity. Students who transfer to AACPS without a formal GT Identification, but are demonstrating advanced learning capabilities may be considered for the ALPs Program on a case-by-case basis.
Some students not identified as GT/Advanced may demonstrate a need for ALPs Instruction. In this case, students may be referred for an ALPs Conditional Placement. A request for ALPs Conditional Placement may originate with the school or the ALPs Office.
Some students not identified as GT/Advanced may demonstrate a need for the rigor of the Advanced English/Language Arts course in Middle School. In this case, students may be referred for an ALPs Conditional Placement in English/Language Arts. A request for ALPs Conditional Placement in English/Language Arts may originate with the school or the ALPs Office.
Some students not identified as GT/Advanced may demonstrate a need for the ALPs Extended Learner Tasks that are written in to the Math 6/7 and Math 7/8 curriuclum. While these extensions are required for GT and Advanced students, they may be provided to any student demonstrating the need for additional rigor within those two courses.
Any student not already on the Accelerated Mathematics Pathway in middle school may be considered at the end of the school year. This will require the student to pass a summer learning opportunity in order to enter the Accelerated Mathematics Pathway. Eligible students will be invited to the summer learning opporunity.
If at any time, a student is not successful in ALPs Instruction, it is the responsibility of the school to regularly communicate progress with the child’s parent(s)/guardian(s) prior to contacting the Advanced Learner Programs (ALPs) office with concerns.
In rare circumstances, there may be times when the Gifted/Advanced services are not an appropriate instructional match for the student. In that case, the school or parent can submit a request to exit ALPs.
All students in Maryland’s schools must be provided educational opportunities appropriate to their individual abilities which will enable them to meet their maximum potential. AACPS is committed to the belief that gifted and talented students are found in youth from all cultural groups, across all economic strata and in all areas of human endeavor.