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Gifted Education Policies


Utah


State Status: Blue

State Definition of "gifted & talented": Gifted and talented students’ means children and youth whose superior performance or potential for accomplishment requires a differentiated and challenging education program to meet their needs in any one or more of the following areas:
(1) general intellectual: students who demonstrate a high aptitude for abstract reasoning and conceptualization, who master skills and concepts quickly, and who are exceptionally alert and observant;
(2) specific academic: students who evidence extraordinary learning ability in one or more specific disciplines;
(3) visual and performing arts: students who are consistently superior in the development of a product or performance in any of the visual and performing arts;
(4) leadership: students who emerge as leaders, and who demonstrate high ability to accomplish group goals by working with and through others;
(5) creative, critical or productive thinking; students who are highly insightful, imaginative, and innovative, and who consistently assimilate and synthesize seemingly unrelated information to create new and novel solutions for conventional tasks.”
(Utah Admin. Code § 277-771-1)
State Association: Utah Association for Gifted Children
Governor: Garry Herbert
State Dept. of Ed. - Gifted and Talented: Moya Kessig
State Superintendent: Larry K. Shumway

Statistics

Students enrolled in grades K-12 (2005-2006): Unknown
Students enrolled in grades K-12 (2004-2005): 386,586
Number of schools offering International Baccalaureate programs (2006-2007): 7
Students identified as Gifted and Talented (2005-2006): Unknown
Students identified as Gifted and Talented (2004-2005): Unknown
Dollars allocated for education (2005-2006): Unknown
Dollars allocated for education (2004-2005): Unknown
Dollars allocated for Gifted and Talented programming (2006-2007): Unknown
Dollars allocated for Gifted and Talented programming (2005-2006): Unknown
Students who have taken Advanced Placement exams in high school (2006-2007): 8,766
Students who have taken Advanced Placement exams in high school (2005-2006): 8,848
Percentage of all students scoring a 3 or above on Advanced Placement exams (2006-2007): 19.5%
Percentage of all students scoring a 3 or above on Advanced Placement exams (2005-2006): 20.8%

Click here for statistical information from previous years.

Legislation & Funding

Is identification of gifted students required by state law?
Yes
Does legislation provide for an education program matched to the student's abilities?
No
Is there legislation that mandates specialized training in gifted education for teachers of gifted students?
Yes
Are there colleges/universities in the state that offer courses and/or degrees in gifted education?
Click here for a list of Gifted Education Degree Programs.
Utah State Office of Education, Curriculum Gifted & Talented Endorsements
Does gifted education legislation exist?
Yes Rule R277-711. Educational Programs for Gifted and Talented Students.
Does the legislation mandate that gifted students be served?
No
Is there funding for gifted programs for the 2007-2008 school year?
Yes Visit this Utah State Legislature page to learn more.
Was there funding for gifted programs for the 2004 - 2005 school year?
Unknown
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.