The New Jersey Department of Education’s administrative regulations (N.J.A.C. 6A:8-3.1) define gifted and talented students as, “Those students who possess or demonstrate high levels of ability, in one or more content areas, when compared to their chronological peers in the local district and who require modification of their educational program if they are to achieve in accordance with their capabilities.”

The district’s TAG program seeks to enhance the quality of education for all students through a program offering differentiation and acceleration through a design-thinking, problem-based learning approach to teaching and learning.

In Tier 1 (K-3), all students receive enrichment in the classroom setting. Differentiated activities and hands-on learning encourage critical thinking through analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Students utilize the “4Cs” - critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication in order to grow as 21st century learners.

The district’s Tier II TAG model (pull-out model for grades 4-6), offers a separate program for students who have been identified using multiple measures of criteria to ensure a comprehensive, fair selection process.  In following the National Association of Gifted Children’s recommended guidelines, the district uses the following multiple measures of criteria, beginning in grade 4 and initially admitting up to the 10th percentile of the district’s student population by grade into the program.

Criteria Grades 4-5

• Inview Cognitive Assessment (Grade 3 and Grade 5) 

• Linkit! Reading Results 

• Linkit! Mathematics Results 

• NJSLA ELA 

• NJSLA Math

Criteria Grades 6-8

• Inview Cognitive Assessment (Grade 3 and Grade 5) 

• Linkit! Reading Results 

• Linkit! Mathematics Results 

• NJSLA ELA 

• NJSLA Math

Below you will find a comparison of a gifted learner and a bright child, presented by Janice Szabos in Challenge Magazine.