" 'Gifted Children' means those persons between the ages of four and twenty-one whose aptitude or competence in abilities, talents, and potential for accomplishment in one or more domains are so exceptional or developmentally advanced that they require special provisions to meet their educational programming needs. Gifted children are hereafter referred to as gifted students. Children under five who are gifted may also be provided with early childhood special educational services. Gifted students include gifted students with disabilities (i.e. twice exceptional) and students with exceptional abilities or potential from all socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural populations. Gifted students are capable of high performance, exceptional production, or exceptional learning behavior by virtue of any or a combination of these areas of giftedness:
· General or Specific Intellectual Ability
· Specific Academic Aptitude
· Creative or Productive Thinking
· Leadership Abilities
· Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Musical, Dance, or Psychomotor Abilities"
(12.01 (16) ECEA Rules, 2015)
Colorado Rules for the Exceptional Children's Educational Act (ECEA); Colorado Department of Education
Students are identified for the purpose of meeting their unique learning needs. District 20 identifies students based upon a body of evidence which includes testing, teacher and parent observation, etc.
- Students who are identified as talented and gifted students in Academy District 20 based upon established D20 criteria.
- Students who have been previously identified as gifted in other districts.
- Students who are identified while attending LHS through new test data, and a body of evidence which meets D20 criteria.
- LHS has an open enrollment philosophy regarding Honors and AP courses. While identified TAG students are encouraged to challenge themselves with these rigorous courses, Honors and AP courses are open to any student.