Gifted Education Services

Gifted Services Kansas Definitions

Exceptional children means persons who are children with disabilities or gifted children and are school age, to be determined in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the state board, whose age may differ from the ages of children required to attend school ... 

Gifted children means exceptional children who are determined to be within the gifted category of exceptionality as such category is defined by the state board. 

Gifted means performing or demonstrating the potential for performing at significantly higher levels of accomplishment in one or more academic fields due to intellectual ability, when compared to others of similar age, experience, and environment.

Guidance and Resources

  • The Gifted Fact Sheet provides a brief overview of how schools identify students for gifted services under state and federal guidelines. Gifted evaluations use multiple sources of information to understand a student’s academic strengths and learning potential. To qualify, a student must demonstrate significantly higher ability than peers of the same age and be at least 5 years old and currently enrolled in school. While outside evaluations may be considered, the school team makes the final determination. Some students may be identified as both gifted and having a disability, with services provided based on documented educational needs.
  • The Kansas Special Education Process Handbook was developed to provide guidance, resources, and supports necessary for those professionals who work to improve results for exceptional children.  The information provided in the Kansas Special Education Process Handbook attempts to clarify and define legal requirements of the law and regulations.  Each chapter includes a brief overview specifying requirements that are particular to Kansas.  In addition, each chapter includes links to valuable resources, sample forms and references.  For more information, visit the  Kansas Special Education Process Handbook webpage.
  • The Eligibility Indicators document contains information about initial evaluation, including appropriate sources of data, eligibility determination, and includes Federal and State definitions of each exceptionality area as defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It also provides information regarding exclusionary factors that must be considered and examples of indicators of eligibility to assist school personnel as they make decisions. The purpose of the document is to provide guidance to evaluation teams as they seek to address the two-prong test of eligibility when determining if a child is eligible for special education.
  • Kansas Technical Assistance System Network (TASN) provides technical assistance to support school districts’ systematic implementation of evidence-based practices.  For more information, visit the  Kansas Technical Assistance System Network (TASN) [ksdetasn.org] website.
  • The IDEA/Gifted File Review Toolkit contains all the resources related to IDEA and gifted file review.
  • Join the Gifted Facilitator Listserv (GIFTED_ED) is a listserv with information for Gifted facilitators To subscribe, visit the Listserv Registration webpage.

Gifted Organizations

  • Kansas Association for the Gifted, Talented and Creative (KGTC) is a non-profit, statewide, nationally affiliated organization of parents, educators, and professionals who support the education of gifted youth. KGTC provides consistent quality resources to education professionals, parents, and gifted students throughout the state, advocates on behalf of gifted children at the local, state, and national level, and manages a fiscally sound and strategic professional organization. For more information, visit the  KGTC website. [external website]
  • National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) is the nation's leading organization focused on the needs of gifted and talented children. Dedicated to uplifting and empowering those who support children with advanced abilities, NAGC provides energizing professional learning, impactful research, and inspiring advocacy to ensure all children have equitable opportunities and support to develop their gifts and talents. For more information, visit the  NAGC website. [external website]

For more information, contact:

Josie McClendon
785-296-5608