Skip To Main Content

Logo Image

Black Morgan County School District Tree Logo

Logo Title

Addressing Misconceptions and Disputes

Myths/Facts of Gifted Education

MYTHS

All children are gifted.







 

Gifted programs offer special treatment for only some students.

 

Gifted kids are smart enough to learn by themselves.

 

Gifted kids are usually from upper, middle class professional families. 

 

Gifted learners are enthusiastic about school and academic work.

  

FACTS

While it is true that all children are special and unique with their own relative strengths and weaknesses, not all children are gifted.  Giftedness refers to extraordinary, exceptional, beyond-the-norm abilities and talents. It refers to students who perform, or show the potential to perform, at a higher level than other children of their age, experience, or environment.

 

Gifted education is about meeting the academic and affective needs of students whose abilities and knowledge exceed what is being taught in the regular classroom.  

 

Gifted children require the same professional education and emotional support as other children, but the support must be appropriate to their needs and at their level.

 

Gifted children are found in all socioeconomic groups in proportionate numbers.

 

Gifted learners may actually struggle in a school environment for various reasons: the curriculum may lack appropriate challenge; the student may have a learning difficulty or a unique learning style.

Procedures for Disagreements

The appeals process begins when a student and/or parent are not satisfied with the decision of the team in planning the student's educational programming and/or when determining need for gifted education services. This process involves the reconsideration of any of the assessment processes, body of evidence data, or programming for gifted and talented services. 

It is the intent of Morgan County School District to resolve questions and concerns at the level in which they occurred. All questions and concerns regarding gifted identification and services should be brought first to the Gifted Coordinator. Students are encouraged to talk with the Gifted Coordinator to address any questions, issues, or concerns. The Gifted Coordinator will work with parents and students to resolve any questions, issues, or concerns by students or parents/guardians. New information and/or data may be introduced by the parents/guardians.

If the student and/or parents/guardians are not satisfied with the response by the Gifted Coordinator, they should then contact the building principal. Through collaboration with the student, parents/guardians, counselor, and Gifted Coordinator, the principal will resolve the questions, issues, or concerns.

If the student or parents/guardians are not satisfied with the resolution at the building level, they may appeal in writing to the superintendent within 10 school days after receiving the building level response. The superintendent will review the process and evidence and respond in writing to the student and/or parents/guardians within 10 school days of receiving the letter of appeal. The superintendent's decision is final.