GT


 * Randy's Assignment 2: Gifted and Talented.**

**1.** **__What defines a student who is gifted and talented?__** “GT is NOT a surplus offering for kids who have surplus knowledge. Rather, it IS an __academic intervention__ for kids who don’t learn like other kids do. //**ACADEMIC INTERVENTION**//. Let’s start calling it what it IS so that we can help those who misperceive begin to understand what GT is //really// all about.” [] //"Children and youth with outstanding talent who perform or show the potential for performing at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared with others of their age, experience, or environment."// - US Department of Education, 1993. [] There are no nation-wide or even state-wide standards for identification. []
 * 2.** **__How are G/T students identified?__**

Identification is left up to the individual school units. In Maine an application needs to be submitted and accepted before G/T reimbursement is made.

Can gifted children have learning disabilities?
“Many gifted and talented children (and adults) are often misdiagnosed as having learning disabilities or behavior disorders. This occurs because there are many characteristics of gifted children, both social and emotional, that are mistaken as symptoms of specific learning disorders. It is not uncommon for some gifted children (those with IQ scores over 140) to display a significant discrepancy (20 points or more) between Verbal IQ and Performance IQ and possess characteristics of a learning disability. Often gifted children have unusual learning styles, and even though they are very intelligent, they may also have learning disorders. Without intervention, self–esteem issues are almost certain in the life of a child who is both gifted and has a learning disability. Whether or not your gifted child also has a learning disability, they will benefit from extra support, encouragement and love. “ [] Difficulties are really no different in G/T students than in other special education students. G/T students can have difficulty with time issues, organization, channeling behavior appropriately, etc. Negative impacts on student learning exist both for the G/T student and the other students in the class. For example a behavior issue may present itself because the G/T student does not feel challenged. This results in not only misbehavior in that student but also behavior that affects other students in that classroom.

**__4. Assistive technology -__** although I found several AT sites, none seemed appropriate for the G/T student [] [] [] - Text to speech – built into the Macs – student uses this to proofread written assignments - Inspiration (also on the Mac) – concept mapping – student(s) uses this for creative ideas (I remember Odyssey of the Mind) - Recommend college courses, fifth block courses (minimal cost) – for student who exhausts all high school courses - checklist – for time management issues – student rushes through every assignment - stopwatch – for time management issues – students have a set amount of time to complete an assignment **5.** **__Questions?__** How do you stop a student from being a perfectionist?