"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."
[State Definition of AIG Students, Article 9B (N.C.G.S. § 115C-150.5)]
General Information
Chatham County Schools has developed a local plan designed to identify and establish a procedure for providing appropriate education services to academically and intellectually gifted students. The plan for gifted education services is reviewed and revised every three years based on input from parents, the school community, and representatives of the Chatham County community. In addition to the input from these stakeholders, this plan, reflecting the most recent guidelines for gifted education in our state, is based on an evaluation rubric and support documentation provided by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The current plan was approved by the Board of Education in June 2007.
Approximately 1,100 students in Chatham County Schools are identified as AIG. This represents nearly 15% of the total student population. About 700 students are served in kindergarten through eighth grade and 400 in the high schools. In addition, 500+ non-identified students are served through the Academic Nurturing Program.
Elementary and middle schools are served by AIG-certified resource teachers. High schools are served through content advancement.
Differentiation is the philosophy on which the gifted education program is based. Curriculum and instruction must be modified on a regular basis to address the widely diverse needs of gifted learners. The responsibility for providing gifted services is shared by the regular education teachers and the AIG teachers through a collaboration and consultation model.
Chatham County Schools and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction define gifted students in the following way: Academically or intellectually gifted students perform or show the potential to perform at substantially high levels of accomplishment when compared with others of their age, experience, or environment. Academically or intellectually gifted students exhibit high performance capabilities in intellectual areas, specific academic fields, or both. These students require differentiated education 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 areas of human endeavor.
Gifted Education Advisory Committee
