What do you ask – what is considered a gifted student?

A gifted student is someone who displays exceptional ability or potential in one or more areas such as academics, creativity, leadership, or the arts.

Comprehensive answer to the question

A gifted student is someone who displays exceptional ability or potential in one or more areas, such as academics, creativity, leadership, or the arts. According to the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), giftedness is defined as “students, children, or youth who give evidence of high performance capability in areas such as intellectual, creative, artistic, or leadership capacity, or in specific academic fields, and who require services or activities not ordinarily provided by the school in order to fully develop such capabilities.”

To identify gifted students, schools may use different tools and assessments, such as IQ tests, academic performance, creativity tests, or teacher recommendations. However, not all gifted students may be identified or receive support, which can lead to underachievement, boredom, or frustration.

As for the characteristics of gifted students, they may vary depending on the area of giftedness, but some common traits include curiosity, critical thinking, creativity, motivation, sensitivity, and a high level of concentration. They may also face challenges, such as perfectionism, overexcitabilities, or social-emotional issues related to feeling different or misunderstood.

According to Albert Einstein, himself considered gifted, “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” This quote suggests that giftedness cannot be measured by a single standard or compared to others, but rather by recognizing and nurturing individual strengths and talents.

Here are some interesting facts related to gifted education:

• The field of gifted education started to develop in the early 20th century, influenced by the work of French psychologist Alfred Binet, who developed the first intelligence test.
• In the U.S., gifted education is mandated by federal law under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
• The term “twice-exceptional” refers to students who have both high ability and a learning disability, such as dyslexia or ADHD.
• Gifted education strategies may include acceleration (e.g., skipping a grade), enrichment (e.g., special projects or courses), or mentoring by experts in the field.
• Gifted education is a controversial topic that has been criticized for elitism, lack of diversity, and neglecting the needs of underrepresented groups.

Table: Common misconceptions about gifted students

Misconception Explanation

Gifted students are just “smart” in everything. Giftedness is not a one-size-fits-all category, and different students may excel in different areas or have uneven abilities.
Gifted students don’t need help or support. Giftedness can come with its own challenges and social-emotional issues that require specialized education and counseling.
Gifted students always do well in school and have perfect grades. Giftedness is not always translated into high achievement or conformity to school standards, and some gifted students may need non-traditional learning environments to thrive.
Gifted students are elitist or entitled. Giftedness is not a matter of superiority or privilege but rather of potential that needs to be recognized and developed for the benefit of individuals and society.

In summary, gifted students are those who show exceptional potential and need specialized education and support to develop their talents. Recognizing and nurturing giftedness is crucial to promoting a diverse and innovative society.

You might discover the answer to “What is considered a gifted student?” in this video

The video explores the characteristics of gifted students, which may include cognitive ability, creativity, and high achievement on cognitive tests. These characteristics may manifest in various areas such as music, art, or academic performance. Parents and educators must provide appropriate support to meet the needs of these students by offering alternative self-directed schooling options, providing resources, and emotional support. Motivation strategies include differentiation instruction, grouping students based on interests, and asking challenging questions. The video concludes by encouraging teachers to observe and reflect on their practices with high achieving students.

Online, I discovered more solutions

Gifted students are those with gifts and talents who perform – or have the capability to perform – at higher levels compared to others of the same age, experience, and environment in one or more domains. They can be identified by intelligence and/or achievement test scores significantly above the norm. They require modification(s) to their educational experience(s) to learn and realize their potential.

The National Association for Gifted Children defines gifted students as those with gifts and talents who perform – or have the capability to perform – at higher levels compared to others of the same age, experience, and environment in one or more domains.

The National Association for Gifted Children (2019) defines gifted students as those with intelligence and/or achievement test scores significantly above the norm. Students can be identified as gifted in a number of domains including intelligence, mathematics, English, science, social studies, creativity, art, and/or leadership.

Students with gifts and talents perform—or have the capability to perform—at higher levels compared to others of the same age, experience, and environment in one or more domains. They require modification(s) to their educational experience(s) to learn and realize their potential.

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