Search Other States for
Gifted Education Policies


Virginia


State Status: Blue

News Update: Proposed new regulations could hurt gifted students...
State Definition of "gifted & talented":
“‘Gifted students’ means those students in public elementary and secondary schools beginning with K through graduation whose abilities and potential for accomplishment are so outstanding that they require special programs to meet their educational needs. These students will be identified by professionally qualified persons through the use of multiple criteria as having potential or demonstrated abilities and who have evidence of high performance or capabilities, which may include leadership, in one or more of the following areas:
  1. Intellectual aptitude or aptitudes. Students with advanced aptitude or conceptualization whose development is accelerated beyond their age peers as demonstrated by advanced skills, concepts and creative expression in multiple general intellectual ability or in specific intellectual abilities.
  2. Specific academic aptitude. Students with specific aptitudes in selected academic areas: mathematics; the sciences; or the humanities as demonstrated by advanced skills, concepts, and the creative expression in those areas.
  3. Technical and practical arts aptitude. Students with specific aptitudes in selected technical or practical arts as demonstrated by advanced skills and creative expression in those areas to the extent they need and can benefit from specifically planned educational services differentiated from those provided by the general program experience.
  4. Visual or performing arts aptitude. Students with specific aptitudes in selected or visual performing arts as demonstrated by advanced skills and creative expression who excel consistently in the development of a product or performance in any of the visual and performing arts to the extent that they need and can benefit from specifically planned educational services differentiated from those generally provided by the general program experience.”
State Association: Virginia Association for the Gifted
Governor: Bob McDonnell
State Dept. of Ed. - Gifted and Talented: Donna Poland
State Superintendent: Patricia I. Wright

Statistics

Students enrolled in grades K-12 (2010-2011): Unknown
Students enrolled in grades K-12 (2009-2010): 1,245,573
Students enrolled in grades K-12 (2008-2009): Unknown
Students identified as Gifted and Talented (2010-2011): Unknown
Students identified as Gifted and Talented (2009-2010): 185,136
Students identified as Gifted and Talented (2008-2009): Unknown
Dollars allocated for Gifted and Talented programming (2010-2011): $44,697,913
Dollars allocated for Gifted and Talented programming (2009-2010): $44,987,462
Dollars allocated for Gifted and Talented programming (2008-2009): $43,852,546
Percentage of students who took an AP exam in high school (2008-2009): 36.4%
Percentage of students who took an AP exam in high school (2007-2008): 34.1%
Percentage of all students scoring a 3 or above on AP exams (2008-2009): 22.9%
Percentage of all students scoring a 3 or above on AP exams (2007-2008): 21.3%
Number of schools offering International Baccalaureate programs (2009-2010): 68

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?
Yes, at the local level
Does the state require specific criteria/methods to identify gifted students?
Yes
IQ scores, Achievement data, 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
K–12
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?
State policy leaves local education agencies to determine
Institute for Research and Policy on Acceleration (IRPA) - State Policy page
Does gifted education legislation exist?
Yes

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

    Join the Gifted Issues Discussion Forum

    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.