How to Champion Your Gifted Child: Everything You Need to Know!
By Teagan Taylor
You are your child’s #1 support system, and with that often comes a daunting amount of responsibility. However, as parents, we love our children dearly and want what’s best for them, even if that means knocking down barriers and asking hard questions. If you’re a parent of a gifted child, this especially holds true, as gifted education tends to be misunderstood, misrepresented, and underfunded.
Looking for ways to advocate for the unique needs of your gifted or potentially gifted child? Well this post is your one stop shop! This is a great time for advocacy as the school year ramps up with testing and classes are getting underway. We are here to provide some insight since change only happens when multiple stakeholders work together for the best of our future generations!
Over several weeks, we will share 5 important topics that parents are often curious about when seeking to advocate for their gifted child. For each topic are questions educators have received from parents over the years, and also questions generated by Chat GPT. We do our best to address these questions and provide you some valuable resources, so click away at the links! Happy reading!
Topic 4: State Policies & Guidelines
Q: “What are the state’s policies regarding gifted education? How do they define it?”
A: North Carolina defines giftedness as “Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) students perform or show the potential to perform at substantially high levels of accomplishment when compared with others of their age, experiences or environment. Academically or Intellectually Gifted students exhibit high-performance capability in intellectual areas, specific academic fields, or in both the intellectual areas and specific academic fields. Academically or Intellectually Gifted students require differentiated educational services beyond those ordinarily provided by the regular educational program. Outstanding abilities are present in students from all cultural groups, across all economic strata, and in all areas of human endeavor. Article 9B (N.C.G.S. § 115C-150.5)” You can find more information about NC’s state policies in regards to gifted education and gifted students, HERE. Fortunately, North Carolina not only has a state definition of giftedness, they also mandate gifted education and fund it (although NC only funds 4% for district/LEA, regardless of the number of students identified). Here in NC we have had gifted education mandates and funding for a lot longer than most states. Some states just started mandating gifted education, and others have provided more funds over recent years. But there are still many states who mandate but don’t fund, or don’t require either. Read more HERE.
Q: “What happens if our school doesn’t offer any gifted programs?”
A: If your student attends a NC public school district, then that district/school should have a gifted program as required by the state law. Check HERE to find your district/LEA’s AIG Plan. You may find that your district/school is not properly identifying and serving gifted students. “In the event that the procedure developed under G.S. 115C‑150.7(b)(7) fails to resolve a disagreement, the parent or guardian may file a petition for a contested case hearing under Article 3 of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes. (N.C.G.S. § 115C-150.8)”.
Q: “What are my rights as a parent under state law regarding gifted education?”
A: Under State Bill 49, as a parent of a student in NC, you have the right to direct the “upbringing, education, health care, and mental health of their minor children”, and “the right to request an evaluation of their child for an academically or intellectually gifted program, or for identification as a child with a disability, as provided in Article 9 of this Chapter.” Read more HERE.
In the comment section below let us know what questions you have about “State Policies & Guidelines” that weren’t addressed above, or perhaps what tips/resources you have gained when advocating for your child!
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