Is My Child Gifted?

All children are special and have their own areas of strength.  However, some children have unusually advanced abilities that require adjustments at home and school to help them grow and learn.  As you watch your child grow and develop, you may notice skills or characteristics that are quite different from those of other children the same age.

For example, your child may:

• Be unusually curious and observant

• Use adult-sounding words and reasoning

• Think of many unusual ideas

• Recognize complex patterns or relationships

• Come to surprising solutions to problems

• Show a strong memory

• Ask unusual questions

• Demonstrate advanced talent in a certain area (math, science, art, music, etc.)

• Possess a keen sense of humor

• Tend to be a perfectionist

• Sustain interest in one or more fields of knowledge over years

• REason abstractly

• Solve problems in a unique manner

• Have a different behavior style

• Enjoy reading about a wide range of topics

Definition

Gifted and talented students are those who demonstrate exceptional ability or potentional in one or more areas, including creative, artistic, leadership, or specific academic domains.  They often grasp concepts quickly, and independently, exhibit intense curiosity, and show a strong desire to explore complex ideas.  These students benefit from differentiated instruction, enrichment, and advanced learning opportunities that go beyond the standard curriculum to support their continued growth and achievement at both the elementary and secondary levels.

Identification

Identification of gifted and talented students is an ongoing process extending from school entry through grade twelve with referrals being accepted from staff, peers, parents, community members, and students.  Opportunities are provided for students to be considered throughout their school experience.  Midway Public Schools identify children in capability areas by means of a multi criteria evaulation.  If you would like for your child to be considered for idetification and possible inclusion in gifted and talented education, please contact your child's school leadership team for information on how to proceed. 

Identification Methods (Referral form link is at the top of this page)

• Nominations

• Data (Standardized and Non-Standardized)

• Committee Placement

• Upon Enrollment and Spring Assessment

Resources

Oklahoma Dept. of Education (OSDE)

www.sde.ok.gov

Oklahoma Associaton for Gifted, Creative, and Talented (OAGCT)

www.oagct.org

National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)

www.nagc.org

Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted

www.sengifted.org