Embedded Files
704 KAR 3:285. Programs for the gifted and talented.
NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY:
KRS 157.200(1)(n) includes within the definition of "exceptional children" a category of "exceptional students" who are identified as possessing demonstrated or potential ability to perform at an exceptionally high level in general intellectual aptitude, specific academic aptitude, creative or divergent thinking, psychosocial or leadership skills, or in the visual or performing arts. KRS 157.224(1) commits the state to a comprehensive educational program for its exceptional school-aged children. KRS 157.230 requires all school districts to operate programs for resident exceptional children, primary - grade twelve (12). This administrative regulation establishes the requirements for programs for gifted and talented students.
Kentucky Department of Education Laws and Regulations regarding Gifted and Talented Programing are linked below.
Kentucky House Bill 190 (2025)—now law as of April 1, 2025 (Acts Chapter 148) Legislative Research CommissionLegiScan. It has amended KRS § 158.6453 and KRS § 160.348 to expand access to advanced coursework and support accelerated learning across the Commonwealth.
1. Definition: What Counts as “Advanced Coursework”?
The law defines advanced coursework as opportunities that challenge students beyond the standard curriculum, including—but not limited to—Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and honors courses Legislative Research CommissionKentucky Department of Education.
2. District-Level Accelerated Learning Plans
By December 1, 2025, each local school district must adopt a publicly available Accelerated Learning Plan for grades 4–12. These plans must:
Be published on the district’s website Legislative Research CommissionKentucky Department of Education.
Additional KDE Webpages for Gifted Students
Primary Talent Pool
Primary Talent Pool
The Primary Talent Pool (PTP) is a group of students who possess demonstrated or potential ability to perform at exceptionally high levels in the primary years (P1-P4; Kindergarten through Third Grade). These students may be referred to as high-potential learners. The purpose of selecting students to participate in a Primary Talent Pool is to provide early enrichment for those students whose talents must be nurtured in order for those talents to fully develop. These students are not automatically identified as gifted once they reach the fourth grade. They must be formally identified by meeting certain criteria.
The Kentucky Gifted Regulation 704 KAR 3:285 states that "talent pool" means a group of primary students informally selected as having characteristics and behaviors of a high potential learner and further diagnosed using a series of informal and formal measures to determine differentiated service delivery needs during their stay in the primary program."
High potential learners are students who typically represent the top quartile of the entire student population in terms of degree of demonstrated gifted characteristics and behaviors. It is important to cast a wide net to find high potential learners. The PTP could include the top 5% in each of the five areas of giftedness: general intellectual, specific academic areas, leadership, creativity, visual and performing arts. Students in PTP should receive differentiated services that are matched to their needs, interests, and abilities.
Primary Talent Pool should be infused into the primary program, and students with strengths in academic areas should receive differentiated instruction on a daily basis. Pull-out services are one service option, and this is especially useful for the areas of leadership, visual & performing arts, and creativity -- areas that may not be able to be easily addressed in the regular classroom. Strength areas in math, reading, science, and social studies may be best serviced in the regular classroom with the support from the GT resource teacher for daily differentiation and opportunities for acceleration and enrichment.
Page updated
Report abuse