Categories of Giftedness

Gifted & talented students should have the opportunity to pursue their interests in greater depth and be encouraged to pursue these interests in a manner more consistent with their preferred styles of learning. G&T students exist in all cultural and socioeconomic subgroups of any given district. They can be identified by exceptionally high performance, achievement, or potential in the following areas, singly or in combination.

General Intellectual Ability: Characteristics for these students include exceptional ability in both verbal and non-verbal reasoning. This is often characterized by advanced vocabulary and abstract reasoning. Generally, they are capable of achieving in all academic subjects.

Specific Intellectual or Academic Ability: These students’ characteristics include exceptional ability in either verbal or non-verbal reasoning. They are exceptionally high achievers in a specific academic subject because the standard curriculum is insufficient. This particular ability may be displayed as an exceptional understanding of skill in a vocational area.

Creative or Productive Thinking Ability: These students’ characteristics include the exceptional ability to develop original or unusual ideas and unique solutions to problems. They are very imaginative and often willing to take risks when offering views.

Psychosocial Ability: Characteristics for these students include exceptional managerial or leadership ability. This is often characterized by the ability to organize people and tasks and motivate others. Often these students have strong moral and social concerns. These students often relate well to adults and peers and can be relied on to accept and carry out responsibilities.

Psychomotor Ability: These students show exceptional ability in fine and/or gross motor skills. They have outstanding ability in balance, strength, physical endurance, and agility, as well as aptitude in fine and industrial crafts.

Visual or Performing Arts Ability: These students have exceptional ability in art, music, drama, or creative writing. They are highly committed to their art form and often show imagination and originality within general artistic disciplines. Psychomotor Ability: These students show exceptional ability in fine or gross motor skills. They have exceptional ability in balance, strength, physical endurance, and agility.