NJ State Mandate: 

Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Act

In January of 2020. Governor Murphy signed the Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Act into law. The bill codifies a requirement included in State Board of Education regulations that Boards of Education ensure that appropriate instructional adaptations and educational services are provided to gifted and talented students... to enable them to participate in, benefit from, and demonstrate knowledge and application of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. 

Additional information can be found at the NJDOE Education website.

N.J.A.C. 6A:8, STANDARDS AND ASSESSMENT:

“Gifted and talented students” means students who possess or demonstrate high levels of ability in one or more content areas when compared to their chronological peers in the local school district and who require modifications of their educational program if they are to achieve in accordance with their capabilities.

Cranford Public School District:

PATHWAYS TO EXCELLENCE- Addressing the Needs of the Gifted and Talented

Gifted students are those who demonstrate exceptional levels of ability, in one or more content areas, when compared to their chronological peers in the Cranford schools and who require modification of their educational program if they are to achieve in accordance with their capabilities. They may display unique creativity, productive thinking and leadership traits or may exhibit exceptional talent in the visual or performing arts.

Suitable educational programs for all children are a right implicit in basic educational philosophy as well as the laws of New Jersey. The Cranford Board of Education is committed to providing sequential, differentiated, and appropriate educational programs for all students, including the gifted and talented. Such programs must ensure that these students engage in learning opportunities that meet their identified needs, and that these opportunities include interaction with their gifted peers.

The district’s Pathways to Excellence Program seeks to identify and support the needs of students who demonstrate exceptional levels of aptitude and ability in Grades 3 – 8. Identified students are offered a pull-out program which focuses on a theme for the year and culminates in an interest-based project.

Identification for the P2E program begins during the second half of second grade and is ongoing throughout the grades.

Additional information can be found here.