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Gifted Education Policies


Iowa


State Status: Green

State Definition of "gifted & talented":
“‘Gifted and talented children’ are those identified as possessing outstanding abilities who are capable of high performance. Gifted and talented children are children who require appropriate instruction and educational services commensurate with their abilities and needs beyond those provided by the regular school program.

Gifted and talented children include those children with demonstrated achievement or potential ability, or both, in any of the following areas or in combination:
1. General intellectual ability.
2. Creative thinking.
3. Leadership ability.
4. Visual or performing arts ability.
5. Specific ability aptitude.”
(Iowa Code § 257.44)
State Association: Iowa Talented & Gifted Association
Governor: Terry Branstad
State Dept. of Ed. - Gifted and Talented: Rosanne Malek
State Superintendent: Jason Glass (Department Director)

Statistics

Students enrolled in grades K-12 (2010-2011): 473,493
Students enrolled in grades K-12 (2008-2009): 470,573
Students identified as Gifted and Talented (2010-2011): 43,967
Students identified as Gifted and Talented (2008-2009): 43,791
Dollars allocated for Gifted and Talented programming (2010-2011): $34,775,163
$26,082,571 (state formula) + $8,692,592 (required local match)
Dollars allocated for Gifted and Talented programming (2009-2010): $34,345,368
$25,759,026 (state formula) + $8,692,592 (required local match)
Dollars allocated for Gifted and Talented programming (2008-2009): $33,322,210
$24,991,657 (state formula) + $8,330,552 (required local match)
Percentage of students who took an AP exam in high school (2008-2009): 13.2%
Percentage of students who took an AP exam in high school (2007-2008): 12.6%
Percentage of all students scoring a 3 or above on AP exams (2008-2009): 8.3%
Percentage of all students scoring a 3 or above on AP exams (2007-2008): 8.3%
Number of schools offering International Baccalaureate programs (2009-2010): 1

Click here for statistical information from previous years.

Legislation & Funding

Does the legislation mandate that gifted students be served?
Yes (K–12)
Does the state require parent/guardian involvement in gifted and talented identification and service decisions?
No
Does the state require specific criteria/methods to identify gifted students?
No
Does the state provide guidance or guidelines for the identification process?
Yes
Is the age or time at which students are identified for gifted programming mandated in your state?
No
Is there legislation that mandates specialized training in gifted education for teachers of gifted students?
Yes
Does your state require school districts to have a gifted education administrator?
No
Does the state have an acceleration policy?
No state policy; up to local education agencies to determine
Institute for Research and Policy on Acceleration (IRPA) - State Policy page
Does gifted education legislation exist?
Yes
Iowa Department of Education - Gifted and Talented

Davidson Gifted Database Resources

  • Day Schools
  • Distance Learning
  • Dual Enrollment
  • Early College
  • Enrichment Programs
  • Gifted Education Degree Programs
  • Homeschooling
  • Online High Schools
  • Summer Programs

    • Other Resources

  • Hoagies: Gifted Education Mandates By State
  • Education Week: Quality Counts 2010 - State Report Cards
  • National Opportunity to Learn Campaign - State Data & Analysis
  • Dept. of Education: Funds for State Formula-Allocated Programs (XLS)
  • National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) State Policy Page

    • Do you have any updates on gifted education in this state? Please click here

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    Information presented on this page was compiled from a variety of resources, including, but not limited to: The STATE of the States in Gifted Education, a report by the Council of State Directors of Programs for the Gifted and the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC); state departments of education, state gifted associations, informational websites and other organizations. The Davidson Institute for Talent Development has not verified the accuracy of all information and does not warrant its accuracy or fitness of use for any purpose. Users should verify information prior to taking any action. Furthermore, the appearance of selected programs and/or resources does not imply an endorsement or affiliation. Programs and resources are highlighted for informational purposes only.