NJ's Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Act
NJ's Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Act requires district boards of education to provide appropriate educational services for gifted and talented students in grades K-12 (N.J.A.C. 6A:8-3.1(a)5 ii). These educational services can include curricular and/or instructional modifications to the content, prcess, product, and/or learning environment.
Gifted Programming Model
The state does not require a particular gifted program or model. Program models might include, but are not limited to: pull-out programs, classroom-based differentiated instruction, enrichment, acceleration, cluster grouping, pacing, compacted curriculum, distance learning, or advanced classes.
Identification Using Multiple Measures
According to N.J.A.C. 6A:8-3, multiple measures must also be used in the ongoing identification process across the grade span. These measures might include, but are not limited to: achievement test scores, student performance, intelligence testing, and parent, student, or teacher recommendations. Identification methodology must be developmentally appropriate, nondiscriminatory, and related to the services offered.
Classroom Differentiation
Furthermore, all teachers are expected to meet the needs of gifted learners through differentiation of instruction. Teachers are provided professional development and work closely with the enrichment teacher to help with instructional modifications pacing, and differentiation.