State Definitions, Laws, and Resources for Gifted Education

The federal definition of gifted and talented that appears in the new No Child Left Behind Act is as follows.

The term ‘gifted and talented’, when used with respect to students, children, or youth, means students, children, or youth who give evidence of high achievement capability in areas such as intellectual, creative, artistic, or leadership capacity, or in specific academic fields, and who need services or activities not ordinarily provided by the school in order to fully develop those capabilities. (Section 9101(22)) (Page 544)

Most states utilize some form of this federal definition in their state definitions.

Click on the links below to find out more about how students are identified and served in the states in Duke TIP’s 16-state region.