Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to clarify the definition and improve the identification and support for gifted and talented students in Minnesota schools. It aims to ensure that all students who meet the criteria for gifted programs, including those from underrepresented groups, have access to appropriate educational opportunities.

Main Provisions

1. Definition and Identification: The bill updates the definition of gifted and talented students to explicitly include "twice-exceptional" students. These students are gifted but also have learning or developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders.

2. Guidelines for Assessment and Identification: School districts must develop clear guidelines for assessing and identifying gifted and talented students. These guidelines should use objective and multiple criteria, ensuring assessments are valid, reliable, and fair to all students, including those from low-income families, minority backgrounds, and those with disabilities.

3. Academic Acceleration: The bill requires school districts to have procedures for academically accelerating gifted and talented students. This includes evaluating a student's readiness and motivation for acceleration and adjusting curriculum complexity and pace according to the student's needs.

4. Early Admission: The bill mandates procedures for early admission of gifted students to kindergarten or first grade, including considerations for underrepresented groups.

Significant Changes

This bill amends existing law by expanding the definition of gifted students to acknowledge twice-exceptionality, ensuring assessments are fair to diverse student populations, and formalizing procedures for both academic acceleration and early school admission.

Relevant Terms

• Gifted and Talented Students
• Twice-exceptional
• Learning or Developmental Disability
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Underrepresented Groups
• Academic Acceleration
• Early Admission