Gifted and Talented

The Gifted/Talented Program identifies and supports students who have exceptional abilities, talents, and the potential to perform at a high level. These students may need special accommodations to meet their educational needs. Outstanding abilities can be found across different cultural and economic backgrounds and in students with disabilities (known as twice-exceptional). Gifted students excel in areas like general intellectual ability, specific academic skills in core subjects, creative thinking, visual or performing arts, and leadership.

Program Goals

The WDMCS Gifted/Talented Team

will use different ways to find gifted students and understand what they need.
will create programs to help gifted students with their different needs.
will teach all staff how to support advanced learners by offering learning opportunities.

Student Standards and Outcomes

We created Student Standards and Outcomes to match three things: the National Association of Gifted Children (NAGC) PreK-12 Gifted Programming Standards, the Autonomous Learner Model Dimensions, and Iowa Core Universal Constructs. These standards help gifted students learn better when they work with a Gifted/Talented Specialist.

Standard 1

Standard 2

In order to develop complex communication skills, the student will…

Successfully share information through multiple means, including visual, digital, verbal, and nonverbal interactions.
Interact effectively with people of diverse backgrounds in a variety of settings.
Participate in meaningful and engaging interactions.
Accurately exchanges information and ideas which are appropriate, purposeful, clear, and concise.

Form an accurate perception of their academic abilities, capabilities, and potential.
Demonstrate initiative, self-direction, and personal responsibility.
Demonstrate motivation and commitment to achieve.
Utilize metacognitive skills that foster independent and self-directed learning.
Respect the unique qualities of self and others.

Standard 6