Definition, Identification & Eligibility
Definition
" 'Gifted Children' means those persons between the ages of 4 through 21 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 5 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
Identification
Students are identified for the purpose of meeting their unique learning needs. Academy District 20 identifies students based upon a body of evidence which includes testing, teacher and parent observation, etc.
Eligibility
Students who are identified as talented and gifted students in Academy District 20 based upon established 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.
TAG Education at LHS
Liberty High School offers unique challenges to gifted students through both the wide array of academic courses as well as the variety of co-curricular activities and clubs. The TAG coordinator in conjunction with counselors, teachers, parents and the gifted student work together to place students in classes and enrichments which meet the unique needs of the gifted learner. Classroom teachers differentiate curriculum to meet the needs of a variety of learners including highly gifted students. The TAG coordinator serves as a resource to the teacher, student and parent.
TAG services include, but are not limited to the following:
Assessment of student need.
Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) for identified students.
Curriculum extensions and enrichments based on individual needs.
Resource assistance and support for classroom teachers.
Honors/AP classes (courses open to all students regardless of TAG identification).
Concurrent enrollment
CU Succeed
Independent study options with proven need.
Weighted grade availability for Honors and AP classes.
A variety of activities to include Knowledge Bowl, Science Olympiad, Robotics, Chess Club, Math contests, etc.
Staff development and training for teachers.
Opportunities for parents to learn more about giftedness.
See the Liberty High School Course Guide for more information about Honors classes, how to Apply to the Honors Program, and Honors class design.
TAG Student Performance Standards
Students will:
Engage in accelerated and/or in-depth curricular extensions;
Demonstrate advanced communication skills;
Conduct authentic research;
Exhibit advanced critical thinking at appropriately challenging levels;
Demonstrate the use of insightful creative thinking;
Learn to understand and maximize their talents and abilities.