Gifted & Talented
Gifted Education Program Vision
The Henry Hudson Regional School District will support and enrich the educational experience of gifted children who demonstrate exceptional levels of aptitude or competence in one or more domains compared to their chronological peers.
As educators, we recognize that all children have unique strengths and talents. We strive to provide opportunities to develop the social, emotional, and academic abilities of each student. All teachers develop learning opportunities to meet these goals through individualized, differentiated learning activities across each content area in every grade level Pre K-12. The district recognizes that some students possess and demonstrate extraordinary levels of ability in one or more content areas when compared to their chronological peers. These students may require differentiated programming opportunities beyond what is already provided in order to maximize their potential.
Gifted Education Program Core Beliefs
- Gifted students are unique and are as different from one another as they are from the population as a whole andlearn best when they are supported in the social-emotional domain to best develop and promote self-direction.
- Gifted students exist in all cultural groups, within all economic levels, among populations with other special needs, and in all areas of human endeavor.
- Gifted students need support and encouragement from individuals who recognize, validate, and nurture their giftedness.
- Experiential learning is at the core of the program, which can include appropriate field trips, guest speakers, and opportunities to join peers in competitive organizations, providing opportunities to explore their skills, passions, talents, interests, and career pathways.
- Abstract ideas and complex issues are consistently grasped and extended by gifted students in a deeper, broader manner than by their age peers.
- Collaboration is a core part of the Gifted Education Program and gifted students need opportunities to learn with other gifted students as well as other age peers.
- The learning process is reflective, requiring communication and metacognitive stimulation.
New Jersey Department of Education
Statutes and Regulations
N.J.A.C. 6A:8-1.3
"Gifted and talented students" means students who possess or demonstrate high levels of ability in one or more content areas when compared to their chronological peers in the local school district and who require modifications of their educational program if they are to achieve in accordance with their capabilities.
"Instructional adaptation" means an adjustment or modification to instruction enabling students with disabilities, ELLs, or students in alternative education programs or who are gifted and talented to participate in, benefit from, and/or demonstrate knowledge and application of the NJSLS.
6A:8-3.1(a) Curriculum and instruction
District boards of education shall ensure that curriculum and instruction are designed and delivered in such a way that all students are able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills specified by the NJSLS and shall ensure that appropriate instructional adaptations are designed and delivered for students with disabilities, for ELLs, for students enrolled in alternative education programs, and for students who are gifted and talented.
“Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Act”
In January 2020, the State of New Jersey passed a new law governing Gifted and Talented Education. This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Act”: C.18A:35-34.https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2018/Bills/A5000/4710_I1.HTM
