Exceptionally able students are those with outstanding intellectual or academic abilities, in one or more content areas, when compared to their chronological peers in the local district. They may display unique creativity, productive thinking, and leadership traits or may exhibit exceptional talent in the visual and performing arts. Academically gifted students are those who have demonstrated and/or have proclivities to exceptional performance; accelerated comprehension and assimilation of context; exceptional capability for the abstract, creative and divergent thinking in academic or out-of-school activities and who require a differentiated educational program beyond that normally provided by the school district. 

New Jersey Student Learning Standards Gifted & Talented Requirements: 

Gifted and Talented students are defined 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.

What is expected of gifted students?

Students who participate in services designed for gifted learners will demonstrate skills in self-directed learning, abstract and complex thinking, as well as a continuous process of research and communication. These learning outcomes will be evidenced by the development of innovative products and performances that reflect an advanced degree of individuality and creativity in relation to students of similar age, experience and/or environment.

• Kindergarten through Second Grade: Instructional adaptations are listed in the district's curricula; all students are exposed to enrichment opportunities in their classrooms as they work through the various content areas and units of study in small groups of students; this is provided for one 40-minute period per every 6 -day cycle by the elementary gifted and talented teacher.
• Third & Fourth Grade: Students may be selected, based on data and the need for academic enrichment in Math and/or Literacy beyond those already provided in the classroom.   Both the mathematics and literacy advanced learning opportunities occur for one 40-minute period per 6 day cycle with the schools gifted and talented teacher.

• Accelerated Courses (5th-8th Grade) in English Language Arts & Mathematics / (7th-8th Grade) Science & Social Studies: Students are identified on multiple measures and demonstrated deep interest in the subject areas.  Students in their respective classes take on a more problem / project based learning approach toward the authentic acquisition of content, the processing of information and production of an outcome reflecting one's learning and understanding.
• Middle School Humanities Electives (7th & 8th Grade): Courses available to any student who has earned an A or B grade in Language Arts or Social Studies in the prior academic year.  In 7th grade, the elective courses are Odyssey of the Mind / Global Concerns.  In 8th grade, the elective course is Biodiversity / Video Documentary.  The elective courses emphasize project based learning, and offer opportunities for students to hone research, writing and presentation skills.

• The Technology-Enriched Academy for Mathematics and Science at Teaneck High School, is a special Honors and Advanced Placement program for motivated students interested in pursuing an integrated study of mathematics, science, computer science, and engineering. The T.E.A.M.S. program provides students in the program with an opportunity to study challenging mathematics, science, and computer science curricula with an emphasis on problem-based learning in a personal and supportive environment. Heavy emphasis is placed on the use of graphing calculators, computers, programming languages and other technologies in the course of study.
• HONORS COURSES: These courses are designed for educationally advanced students. They demand a high degree of motivation and past achievement. These courses, when taken in the appropriate sequence, are preparatory for the Advanced Placement courses. Students electing a course described as honors will have the course designation indicated on their transcripts. See the Teaneck High School Course Guide to determine the impact of honors courses on your GPA and class rank.
• ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES: Advanced Placement courses are approved by the Educational Testing Service (a division of the College Board) to allow students the opportunity to complete college-level studies during secondary school. AP course offerings are for the most educationally advanced students and should be taken only with the recommendation of their current classroom teacher. Students choosing these courses should be achieving grades of at least an A- or B+ in the Honors sequence.

• Quantitative Data:
  • Ability - Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) - What is CogAT? FAQs
  • Achievement
    • Superior score on norm referenced achievement test in domain using local norms - ex. NJSLA
    • Superior score on norm referenced test for aptitude in domain using local norms - ex. Districtwide Benchmark Assessments
• Qualitative / Descriptive indicators in the domain being served
  • Parent/Guardian, Teacher, Counselor & Administrator referrals
  • Portfolios, work samples, projects
  • Kingore Observation Inventory (KOI)
  • Problem solving activities demonstrating reasoning
  • Creativity Rating Scales
• Other appropriate measures

• The identification procedures are reviewed annually.
• The process ensures that each student identified as gifted or twice exceptional are assessed annually for the continuing appropriateness of their services.
• The process includes a universal review of assessments and all relevant test results in each student's file, voluntary parent and/or teacher referrals, and a review of the student's work during the school year if deemed appropriate.

1. Referral Window - Parents, Teachers, Counselors & Administrators (January-February)
2. Data Collection, Analysis & Indexing of Identification Metrics (September - April)
3. Selection Committee - Teachers & Administrators review student profiles and make recommendations to match students to services.  (April - May)
4. Schools Administrations notified of identified students to schedule for the next school year (June)
5. Families notified of student identification (June)
6. Services begin in September of next school year.

- To ensure adequate time for the district to fully assess newly registered students, the district will require up to one full school year in order to collect multiple measures and evidence necessary to compare students with the local Teaneck cohort for the following school year.

1. Contact teacher to share concerns
2. Discuss concerns with the building principal
3. Contact the Supervisor of Gifted Education and submit their specific concern via the following FORM for review.
4. Complaint reviewed within 20 days and findings sent to parent or legal guardian.
5. If dissatisfied with findings, parent/guardian may request a meeting with the Superintendent of Schools.
6. If issue unresolved, file a complaint with Board of Education.
7. If dissatisfied with Superintendent's / Board of Education's findings, contact the Bergen County School Superintendent, Bergen County Office of Education, One Bergen County Plaza, 3rd Floor, Room 350, Hackensack, NJ 07601.  A complaint submitted to the executive county superintendent may only allege noncompliance that has occurred within one year prior to the date that the complaint is submitted.
8. Finally, if the matter is still disputed, parent or legal guardian can file a Petition of Appeal of the board's written decision to the Commissioner of Education through the Office of Controversies and Disputes in accordance with N.J.S.18A:6-9 and the procedures set forth in State Board of Education regulations.