Aukamm ES: Gifted Education

Giftedness describes those students with outstanding academic talent who perform, or show the potential for performing, at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared to others of their age, experience, or environment. These students exhibit high academic performance and/or excel in specific academic fields. It is DoDEA's policy to identify students exhibiting gifted behaviors and to develop a plan for gifted education.

A Gifted Review Committee is established at the school to determine a student's eligibility for gifted education services. Ability testing may be used as one source of data for identification. Other assessments and data such as rating scales, anecdotal information, observations, performance assessments, grades, and/or portfolios, coupled with information from parents, are essential elements as well.

The Gifted Education teacher works with identified students using programming options such as acceleration, attendance in resource room classes, and other options that meet the particular student's academic needs. Classroom teachers also use differentiated instruction in addition to collaborating with the gifted education teacher to deepen and expand upon areas of study. Opportunities to address the social and emotional needs of the gifted are provided in the course of working with students on a regular basis.