File: IHBB - Gifted Education

NOTE: While Colorado school districts are not required by law to adopt a policy on this subject, some content in this sample reflects legal requirements school districts must follow. This sample contains the content/language that CASB believes best meets the intent of the law. However, the district should consult with its own legal counsel to determine appropriate language that meets local circumstances and needs.

The Board of Education is dedicated to providing comprehensive programming for the identification and education of gifted students. Gifted students are those students between the ages of four and 21 whose abilities, talents, and potential for accomplishment are so exceptional or developmentally advanced that they require special provisions to meet their educational programming needs. The Board believes that a quality instructional program that differentiates curriculum and instruction is essential so all students can learn and grow at their level of potential.

To the extent resources are available for this purpose, the superintendent or designee shall develop and implement programming designed to meet the particular educational needs of gifted students that:

• encourages acceleration and enrichment beyond the basic curriculum,

• offers a differentiated curriculum that includes higher cognitive concepts and processes,

• uses instructional strategies that accommodate the learning styles of the gifted,

• fosters the individual growth of each student,

• supports students in the attainment of the district's academic standards,

• assists students with pre-collegiate and/or pre-advanced placement programs, and

• provides guidance support systems, including identifying post-secondary options.

The programming shall include early identification of gifted students who are at least five years of age and may include the early identification of four and five year old highly advanced gifted students. The programming shall also include ongoing professional development of staff who administer, supervise or teach in such programs. The programs will be regularly evaluated.

The superintendent or designee shall submit to the Colorado Department of Education a program plan to identify and serve gifted students and may submit a program plan to serve four and five year old highly advanced gifted students no later than April 30 of each year. The program plan shall contain elements specified by applicable State Board of Education rules so the district [or administrative unit] will be eligible for state funding for these students.

Except as otherwise required by law, the superintendent or designee shall have the final determination regarding placement of students in district programs for the gifted.

(Adoption date)

LEGAL REFS.: C.R.S. 22-20-201 et seq. (education of gifted children)

C.R.S. 22-54-103 (10) (allows district to count and receive funding for four and five year old "highly advanced gifted children" enrolled in kindergarten and first grade)

1 CCR 301-8, 2220-R-12.00 (gifted and highly advanced gifted children)

[Revised November 2014]