05- 071 C.M.R. ch. 104, § 1-02
Commissioner: "Commissioner" shall mean the Commissioner of Education or a designee.
Department: "Department" shall mean the Department of Education.
Gifted and Talented Children: "Gifted and talented children" shall mean those children in grades K-12 who excel, or have the potential to excel, beyond their age peers, in the regular school program, to the extent that they need and can benefit from programs for the gifted and talented. Gifted and talented children shall receive specialized instruction through these programs if they have exceptional ability, aptitude, skill, or creativity in one or more of the following categories:
1. General Intellectual Ability as shown by demonstrated significant achievement or potential for significant accomplishment above their age peers in all academic areas
2. Specific Academic Aptitude as shown by demonstrated significant achievement or potential for significant accomplishment above their age peers in one or more academic area(s)
3. Artistic Ability as shown by demonstrated significant achievement or potential for significant accomplishment above their age peers in the literary, performing, and/or visual arts
NOTE: Children with exceptional General Intellectual Ability and/or exceptional Specific Academic Aptitude usually comprise five percent of the school population. Students with exceptional Artistic Ability usually comprise five percent of the school population. Children in the top two percent of the school population may be considered highly gifted.
Gifted and Talented Educational Program: A "gifted and talented educational program" shall mean a comprehensive, K-12 program that provides specialized instruction beyond that available within the regular school program.
05- 071 C.M.R. ch. 104, § 1-02