Gifted & Talented Education (GATE) Program

National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)

“Gifted individuals are those who demonstrate outstanding levels of aptitude (defined as an exceptional ability to reason and learn) or competence (documented performance or achievement in top 10% or rarer) in one or more domains. Domains include any structured area of activity with its own symbol system (e.g., mathematics, music, language) and/or set of sensorimotor skills (e.g., painting, dance, sports).” 

Texas Education Code

“Gifted and talented student” means a child or youth who performs at or shows the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience or environment and who:

• exhibits high-performance capability in an intellectual, creative or artistic area;
• possesses an unusual capacity for leadership; or
• excels in a specific academic field.

This definition is now codified in The Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students (Texas Education Agency, 2009), it is the basis for identification and services that must be provided for gifted and talented students in Texas.

Students who participate in services designed for gifted students will demonstrate skills in self-directed learning, thinking, research and communication as evidenced by the development of innovative products and performances that reflect individuality and creativity and are advanced in relation to students of similar age, experience or environment. High school graduates who have participated in services for gifted students will have produced products and performances of professional quality as part of their program services.

• Implement an ongoing identification process for grades K-12 based on multiple and specific criteria that will ensure every population has an equal opportunity for nomination, screening, and selection into the program.
• Provide an array of learning experiences that are appropriately differentiated and meaningfully linked to core content.
• Promote creative-problem solving and divergent thinking.
• Foster higher order thinking skills (analysis, synthesis, evaluation).
• Guide students to develop a healthy self awareness of what it means to be gifted and encourage them to apply their talents toward responsible service to others.
• Provide ongoing training opportunities for administrators, counselors, and teachers involved in serving the needs of gifted and talented students.
• Encourage students to think not only of what is, but what can be.

The mission of the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Program is to identify and serve students who are capable of high performance in general intellectual ability and creative productive thinking.

The vision of the GATE program is to create an environment that values and nurtures the unique needs of gifted and talented students.