Gifted and Talented Program

All gifted Brush youth are identified by their strength areas and needs. Educational programming is designed and implemented to match their identified needs. Student progress and achievement is monitored through ongoing assessment. Identified students are cluster grouped in classes with teachers who participate in professional development and coaching to increase knowledge, skills, and understanding of gifted students.

"Gifted and talented children" mean those persons between kindergarten and high school graduation whose abilities, talents, and potential for accomplishment are so exceptional or developmentally advanced that they require special provisions to meet their educational needs. Gifted and talented students are capable of high performance, exceptional production, or exceptional learning behavior by virtue or any combination of these areas:

  • General intellectual ability

  • Leadership/human relations ability

  • Specific academic aptitude

  • Visual arts/spatial ability

  • Creative productive thinking

  • Performing arts/musical ability

The child who is gifted is part of a small percentage (2-4%) of every school population. The child generally achieves at least two standard deviations from the mean of standard tests of ability, works at two or more grade levels ahead of the age peers, and/or demonstrates deep understanding and skills in individualized performances. In addition to some common learning behaviors (questioning, researching, wondering, and making connections), many gifted learners share various social and emotional issues specifically related to their giftedness (peer acceptance, sensitivity, "out-of-the-box thinking").

Often bright students are thought to be gifted by their parents and teachers. Bright students tend to do their work neatly and on time, enjoy following instruction, and are top academic students. However, a truly gifted learner will demonstrate certain unique characteristics.

Contact Info:

Darline J. Miner
District Gifted and Talented Coordinator
Email Darline J. Miner
Office phone: 970-842-5171, ext. 1431

For more information, please see the BOCES Gifted website at Gifted and Talented Education​​​​​​​

Click here for the Gifted and Talented Documents

Click here for the Bright Student Gifted Learner