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Individual or Team Outstanding Student Accomplishment in Gifted and Talented Education
Individual or Team Outstanding Student Accomplishment in Gifted and Talented Education
Individual students or student teams who exemplify exceptional accomplishment in gifted and talented education. Strong nominations demonstrate advanced ability and intellectual agency—extending, initiating, or applying their learning beyond standard expectations—in academic, creative, leadership, or other areas of demonstrated strength.
Grade Bands
Grade Bands
Students will be considered based on the following grade bands at the time of nomination submission:
Primary: PreK–Grade 2
Upper Elementary: Grades 3–5
Middle Years: Grades 6–8
High School: Grades 9–12
Eligibility
Eligibility
Maryland resident students enrolled in public, private, charter, or home school settings are eligible to apply.
High school graduates from the Class of 2026 may be nominated in the High School (Grades 9–12) category for accomplishments completed prior to high school graduation. Work completed after graduation is not eligible.
Questions about multi-grade teams or other unique situations should be directed to the awards committee chairs.
Criteria 1: Advanced Performance & Depth
Criteria 1: Advanced Performance & Depth
The student or team demonstrates performance significantly beyond age or grade-level expectations in one or more domains, showing depth, complexity, or advanced application of knowledge or skill.
Considerations:
Considerations:
Identify and describe areas in which the student or team performs well beyond curriculum standards or typical peer expectations.
Explain how advanced performance has been demonstrated (e.g., acceleration, advanced products, sophisticated performances, complex problem-solving, original thinking).
Evidence of academic performance should extend beyond course titles (e.g., “Honors” or “AP”) and instead illustrate the level of thinking, depth of understanding, or advanced production.
Examples may include significant acceleration (i.e., advanced coursework at an unusually early age), dual enrollment, original research, advanced artistic performance, or sustained passion-driven study.
Possible Evidence:
Possible Evidence:
Samples of advanced work (essays, research abstracts, creative writing, artwork, recordings, designs, etc.)
Description of acceleration or advanced placement with context
Documentation illustrating the level of complexity or depth
Criteria 2: Intellectual Agency & Initiative
Criteria 2: Intellectual Agency & Initiative
The student or team demonstrates intellectual agency by extending, initiating, or deepening learning beyond assigned requirements or provided pathways.
Considerations:
Considerations:
Describe ways the student independently pursued advanced interests, created original work, or sought opportunities beyond standard expectations.
Explain whether the student designed, initiated, or significantly shaped projects, research, performances, service efforts, or advanced study.
Participation in programs may be included, but emphasize the student’s initiative, contribution, originality, or leadership within those contexts.
Agency may be demonstrated within school, outside of school, or through self-directed pursuits; access to elite programs is not required.
Possible Evidence:
Possible Evidence:
Description of independent learning projects or self-initiated work
Artifacts created beyond the assigned coursework
Documentation of meaningful contribution or leadership within an advanced setting
Evidence of sustained pursuit of an advanced interest over time
Criteria 3: Authentic Application or Contribution
Criteria 3: Authentic Application or Contribution
The student or team demonstrates application of advanced ability in meaningful or authentic contexts beyond routine classroom assignments.
Considerations:
Considerations:
Describe how the student applied advanced skills or knowledge in real-world, performance-based, research-based, creative, service-oriented, or community contexts.
Recognition, awards, or competition results may be included, but should be described in terms of the student’s role, contribution, and level of sophistication.
Authentic application may include research presentations, creative productions, innovation, mentorship, leadership, service, publication, or contribution to a real audience.
Explain how the experience reflects growth, originality, or meaningful engagement beyond standard expectations.
Possible Evidence:
Possible Evidence:
Description of research, creative productions, performances, innovations, or service initiatives
Documentation of presentations to authentic audiences (school, community, regional, state, national, or field-specific)
Details of awards or recognition, with a clear explanation of the student’s contribution
Examples of applied advanced work beyond the local gifted or advanced program
Meet Some of the 2025 Individual and Team Winners!
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