Gifted and talented children are by virtue of outstanding abilities those identified by professionally qualified persons as being capable of high performance.  These children require differentiated educational programs and/or services beyond those normally provided by the regular school program in order to realize their contribution to self and society.

 -U.S. Office of Education 

Missouri House Bill 474, Section 162.675, defines gifted children as "those children who exhibit precocious development or mental capacity and learning potential as determined by competent professional evaluation to the extent that continued educational growth and stimulation could best be served by an academic environment beyond that offered through a standard grade level curriculum."

CHARACTERISTICS OF GIFTED STUDENTS

• Advanced Language
  Displays an advanced vocabulary and an ability to use more complex language effectively in a variety of situations; naturally uses similes, metaphors, and analogies to express relationships.

• Analytical Thinking
  Ability to discern components of a whole; strives to determine relationships and patterns in procedures, experiences, ideas, and/or objects.  The student may not be "organized", yet enjoys organizing and planning events and procedures.

• Meaning Motivated
  Shows curiosity and an inner drive for thorough, independent understanding; asks penetrating, intellectual questions and demonstrates an extensive memory.

• Perspective
  Displays an ability to understand and incorporate unexpected or unusual points of view through oral language, writing, manipulative and/or art.

• Sense of Humor
  Demonstrates understanding of higher levels of humor and application of a finely developed sense of humor, either through the production of original jokes, riddles, puns, or other humorous effects or through understanding the subtle humor of others.

• Sensitivity
  Intensely sensitive to the needs of others, demonstrates a strong sense of justice and sets high standards for self and others.

• Accelerated Learning
  Demonstrates mastery and an ability to learn and understand material and concepts beyond the facts and knowledge typical and expected for that age group.

         
            -adapted from Kingore Observation Inventory by Bertie Kingore, 1993.