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Gifted Education Policies


Maine


State Status: Blue

State Definition of "gifted & talented":
“Gifted and Talented Children: ‘Gifted and talented children’ shall mean those children in grades k-12 who excel, or have the potential to excel, beyond their age peers, in the regular school program, to the extent that they need and can benefit from programs for the gifted and talented. Gifted and talented children shall receive specialized instruction through these programs if they have exceptional ability, aptitude, skill, or creativity in one or more of the following categories:
1. General Intellectual Ability as shown by demonstrated significant achievement or potential for significant accomplishment above their age peers in all academic areas.
2. Specific Academic Aptitude as shown by demonstrated significant achievement or potential for significant accomplishment above their age peers in one of more academic area(s)
3. Artistic Ability as shown by demonstrated significant achievement or potential for significant accomplishment above their age peers in the literary, performing, and/or visual arts

NOTE: Children with exceptional General Intellectual Ability and/or Specific Academic Aptitude usually comprise five percent of the school population. Students with exceptional Artistic Ability usually comprise five percent of the school population. Children in the top two percent of the school population may be considered highly gifted.”
(Maine Code Me. R. § 5-071-104.02)
State Association: Maine Educators of the Gifted & Talented
Governor: Paul LePage
State Dept. of Ed. - Gifted and Talented: Lee Worchester
State Superintendent: Stephen Bowen

Statistics

Students enrolled in grades K-12 (2010-2011): 188,133
Students enrolled in grades K-12 (2008-2009): 174,641
Students identified as Gifted and Talented (2010-2011): 6,239
Students identified as Gifted and Talented (2008-2009): 5,109
Dollars allocated for Gifted and Talented programming (2010-2011): $4,773,603
Dollars allocated for Gifted and Talented programming (2009-2010): $4,415,868
Dollars allocated for Gifted and Talented programming (2008-2009): $5,118,690
Percentage of students who took an AP exam in high school (2008-2009): 31.2
Percentage of students who took an AP exam in high school (2007-2008): 28.9
Percentage of all students scoring a 3 or above on AP exams (2008-2009): 18.2
Percentage of all students scoring a 3 or above on AP exams (2007-2008): 17.4
Number of schools offering International Baccalaureate programs (2009-2010): 3

Click here for statistical information from previous years.

Legislation & Funding

Does the legislation mandate that gifted students be served?
Yes (Grades 3–12)
Does the state require parent/guardian involvement in gifted and talented identification and service decisions?
Yes, at the local level
Does the state require specific criteria/methods to identify gifted students?
Yes
Multiple criteria model
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?
Yes
Identified by grade 3 with an annual review of the K–12 population
Is there legislation that mandates specialized training in gifted education for teachers of gifted students?
No
Does your state require school districts to have a gifted education administrator?
Yes
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
Legislation Concerning Gifted and Talented Educational Programs

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.