Identification
The Utah Administrative Rule for Gifted and Talented (High Ability) Education requires that "each district have a process for identifying students in one or more areas" as listed in the definition section of the rule. In addition, each district is to have "a process for appropriately placing students identified as gifted and talented" (R277-711-3.B-C).
This means that districts are required to provide opportunities for gifted and talented (high-ability) students. A continuum of services model, based on the needs of the students provides a variety of options in a variety of service locations for students as they are identified.
Identification of students for the various programs needs to be based on best practice in identifying high ability students and on Utah State law which requires
"Each district shall have a process for identifying students in one or more of the areas listed in Section 1(B) based upon at least three assessment instruments. These instruments shall not be solely dependent upon English vocabulary or comprehension skills and shall take into consideration abilities of culturally diverse, handicapped and underachieving students."
In addition, although identification can be difficult, it is important that administrators, teachers and other personnel develop an identification system that matches the needs of the students to the program that is developed. Becoming informed regarding the how, when and why of identifying students is important. Along with the sidebar subjects (Key Ideas About Identification and Tools for Identifying High Ability Students) the following resources may be helpful as program identification practices are developed.
Coleman, M.R. "Identification of Students Who are Gifted"
Hoagies' Gifted Education Page ERIC: 2003. Web. 24 Nov. 2010
www.hoagiesgifted.org/eric/e644.html
Plucker J.A, and Callahan, C.M. (2008) Critical Issues and Practices In Gifted Education. Waco, Texas: Prufrock Press.
Colangelo, N., and Davis, G. (2003) Handbook of Gifted Education, Boston: Pearson Press.
Renzulli, J. "A Practical System for Identifying Gifted and Talented Students." National Research Center for Gifted and Talented. University of Connecticut, 2005. Web. 24 Nov. 2010 http://www.gifted.uconn.edu/sem/semart04.html
Websites:
National Association for Gifted Children
Neag Center for Gifted and Talented Education
Gifted Development Center
Center for Gifted Education/ University of Virginia
http://cfge.wm.edu/jlvantassel-baska/jvantassel-baska.htm
Hoagie's Gifted