Abstract
This chapter depicts a gifted identification method using K–8 student data profiles. This method of gifted identification aligns student needs with comprehensive gifted and talented programming, and student data serve to inform instruction, not solely to identify whether or not students exhibit giftedness. Under the gifted and talented specialist's guidance, a trained committee conducts an anonymized review of data on the student profiles to uncover extraordinary potential, creativity, aptitude, and achievement while identifying the targeted student needs through universal screening. This chapter also examines the first-hand application of this student profile review. Anecdotes and documented experiences demonstrate the gifted identification process using student profiles capturing local norms, multiple criteria, and gifted service goals to guide the committee's anonymized review.
TopBackground
Historically, gifted and talented identification is one-size-fits-all (Sternberg et al., 2021). Many districts employ identification methods lacking equity or goal-oriented focus, including single data points, cut-off scores, minimums, matrices, and private pathways. For example, parents with access to clinical psychologists have their students privately evaluated in pursuit of the gifted label. These traditions are neither equitable nor best practices in gifted identification (Grissom et al., 2019; Lamb et al., 2022; Peters, 2022).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Creativity: The ability to produce or develop original work, theories, techniques, or thoughts. A creative individual displays fluency, flexibility, originality, elaboration, complexity, curiosity, imagination, expressiveness, and risk-taking tendencies (APA, 2020 AU21: The in-text citation "APA, 2020" is not in the reference list. Please correct the citation, add the reference to the list, or delete the citation. ; Williams, 1993 AU22: The in-text citation "Williams, 1993" is not in the reference list. Please correct the citation, add the reference to the list, or delete the citation. ).
Gifted and Talented Specialist: A professionally qualified educator trained in gifted education who works with pupils and adults alike. Responsibilities include compiling and analyzing student data, creating profile sheets for identification, professional development, community education, pupil testing, and delivering units of instruction.
Gifted and Talented: Gifted and talented students are those identified by professionally qualified persons who possess or demonstrate a high level of ability in one or more content areas compared to their chronological peers in the local school district. These children, capable of high performance, require differentiated educational programs and services beyond those usually provided by the regular school program to achieve their potential and realize their contribution to self and society. (Marland, 1972 AU23: The in-text citation "Marland, 1972" is not in the reference list. Please correct the citation, add the reference to the list, or delete the citation. ; New Jersey Department of Education, 2020 AU24: The in-text citation "New Jersey Department of Education, 2020" is not in the reference list. Please correct the citation, add the reference to the list, or delete the citation. ).
Identification: The systematic practice of determining student eligibility for gifted and talented services.
Multi-Tiered System of Support: A continuum of educational services developed to target specific learning differences and assist students in achieving according to their potential.
Gifted and Talented Teacher: A teacher trained in gifted education who delivers units of instruction to meet student needs.