Definitions

The current federal definition of “gifted and talented” appeared in the 1993 National Excellence report published by the United States Department of Education. The definition is as follows: 

“Children and youth with outstanding talent perform or show the potential for performing at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared with others of their age, experience, or environment. These children and youth exhibit high performance capability in intellectual, creative, and/or artistic areas, possess an unusual leadership capacity, or excel in specific academic fields. They require services or activities not ordinarily provided by the schools. Outstanding talents are present in children and youth from all cultural groups, across all economic strata, and in all areas of human endeavor.”

The Minnesota State Department of Education offers a similar definition that guides Mankato Area Public Schools.

“Gifted and talented children and youth are those students with outstanding abilities identified at preschool, elementary, and secondary levels. These students are capable of high performance when compared to others of similar age, experience, and environment, and represent the diverse populations of our communities. These are students whose potential requires differentiated and challenging educational programs and/or services beyond those provided in the general school program. Students capable of high performance include those with demonstrated achievement or potential ability in any one or more of the following areas: general intellectual, specific academic subjects, creativity, leadership, and visual and performing arts.”

- Approved by the Minnesota Department of Education, August, 2005