How to Know if My Child is Gifted

Does your child exhibit some of these characteristics?

An incredible memory

Very active and alert

Learns quickly

Uses advanced vocabulary

Enjoys solving puzzles with words, numbers and images

Excels at improvising ways to solve problems

Focuses intensely on one interest or multiple ones simultaneously

Demonstrates insightful, complex and creative thinking

High tendency to examine and investigate things, often by asking lots of questions

Has very intense feelings and emotional reactions

Exhibits a vivid and precise imagination

Responds to and demonstrates strengths in the arts

Engages in word play and storytelling

Displays a great sense of humor, at times better understood by adults

Daydreams—lives in his or her own world

Is concerned with truth, equity, and justice

Current TAG Identification Requirements

Page 2 of National Association for Gifted Children's Article "Helping Your Gifted Child Succeed!"

Academic Performance

Iowa Assessment Statewide of Student Progress (IASAP)

  • Scores higher than 95% of other students in reading and/or math

aReading and aMath

  • Scores 5% above spring benchmark score

Teacher Nomination

K-8th Grade Renzulli Observations: Math and/or Reading

    • Checklist of behavioral characteristics in gifted students filled out by teacher
    • Teacher nominates student if they exemplify multiple characteristics

9th-12th Grade Purdue Checklists:

    • Same components as the K-8 Renzulli Scales

Products and/or Performances

    • Classroom portfolios: collection of student's notes, projects, papers and other contributions to class
    • Classroom grades