The PTD program is designed to recognize that the primary years offer unique opportunities to ignite and develop the potential of primary students. It provides opportunities for all students to develop and demonstrate advanced thinking behaviors. 

Teachers build a profile of student strengths over time, pre-kindergarten through second grade, which can be used to document the need for differentiated instruction and advanced learner opportunities. The PTD program provides models of the essential learning strategies: analyzing attributes, questioning, and creative problem solving. 

The MSDE PTD program is embedded in AACPS curriuclum to ensure both equity and access to all primary students. Teachers use knowledge of the learner, the curriculum, and best practices to provide appropriate levels of challenge for students demonstrating advanced learning capabilities.