Parents' Frequently Asked Questions About Giftedness

• How can my child qualify to participate in the gifted program at his or her school?
• What is the law regarding gifted education in my state?
• How is the new SAT different from the old one? Should I be concerned about how my child will fare on the newer version?
• What is acceleration, and how do I know if it is a good option for my child?
• My 10-year old is extremely inquisitive and has a long attention span. Could these be signs of giftedness?
• I think my child may be underachieving. How do I know for sure?
• How can I assist in providing enriching learning experiences for my child?
• How do I select someone to privately test my child?
• How can I be certain my high school student is engaged in a rigorous curriculum so that he or she will be a competitive college applicant?
• How do I resolve disputes with my child's school regarding appropriate placement and programming?
• What does differentiation look like, and how can I be assured that my child is receiving appropriate instruction matched to his or her abilities?
• Is ability grouping good for my gifted child?
• What exactly is a grade-equivalent score, and what does it tell me about my child's abilities?
• How do I form a stronger relationship with my child's school?
• When should I begin college planning with my child?
• What are the early signs of leadership potential, and how can I nurture these qualities in my child?
• What are some commonly used intelligence tests, and how do I know which one is best for my child?
• Who are the gifted?
• My child is awkward around her peers? How can I help her build better relationships?
• What can I do if my child is reluctant to attend a residential summer program?
• We're relocating-how can we determine which school in our new community is best for our child?

How can my child qualify to participate in the gifted program at his or her school?

States have different rules and regulations regarding the identification of gifted students and the types of educational programming available to them. In addition, schools vary in their approach from school to school and district to district. For example, some start identifying and offering services for gifted children in Kindergarten while others do not begin the process until the second or third grade. Parents should secure the gifted education policy or plan from their respective school system to determine the criteria and procedures that have been established for participation in the gifted program. Keep in mind that not all areas of giftedness (intellectual, academic, creative, artistic, and leadership) are addressed by all schools. For additional information read Screening and Identification in Schools on the Parenting TIPs page. State Definitions, Laws, and Resources may also be helpful in determining where your state stands on gifted education.

What is the law regarding gifted education in my state?

Contact your state director for gifted education through your respective state department of education regarding state laws governing gifted education. State Definitions, Laws, and Resources on the Parent TIPs page has direct links to other useful information for the 16-states within the Talent Search region.

How is the new SAT different from the old one? Should I be concerned about how my child will fare on the newer version?

The new SAT Reasoning Test lasts 3 hours and 45 minutes and measures critical thinking, mathematical reasoning, and writing skills. The math test now has some algebra II content, and quantitative comparison questions have been eliminated (i.e., questions that present two quantities and the student must decide which quantity is greater, whether the two quantities are equal, or whether no comparison is possible). The critical reading test (formally the verbal section) includes short and long reading passages with passage-based questions and sentence-completion questions. The analogies (i.e., Bird: Nest as Dog: Doghouse), once considered a hallmark of the test, have been eliminated in the new version. A 60-minute writing test has been added that includes multiple choice questions and a student-written essay. The essay question asks students to develop a point of view on an issue and support it with examples from their studies and experiences. Maximum scores on the new SAT Reasoning Test are 800 on math, 800 on critical reading, and 800 on writing, for a combined score of 2400. For additional information on the new SAT visit the College Board's Web site.

What is acceleration, and how do I know if it is a good option for my child?

Acceleration is the process of allowing high-ability students to progress through school curriculum at a rate faster than the average student. If your child is able to grasp grade-level material quickly or has already mastered the majority of grade-level curriculum offered at his or her school, acceleration might be an option worth considering. For more information on acceleration strategies and suggestions for further reading refer to Acceleration on the Parenting TIPs page. In addition, a recent report, A Nation Deceived (Available for free), contains compelling research in support of acceleration. Parents are encouraged to download and share a copy of this report with school personnel.