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Gifted Education Policies


Virginia


State Status: Blue

Governor: Tim Kaine
News Update: Proposed new regulations could hurt gifted students...
State Association: Virginia Association for the Gifted
State Definition of "gifted & talented": “‘Gifted students’ means those students in public elementary and secondary schools beginning with kindergarten 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.”
(8 Virginia Admin. Code § 20-40-20)
State Dept. of Ed. - Gifted and Talented: Donna Poland
State Superintendent: Patricia I. Wright

Statistics

Dollars allocated for education (2004-2005): $12,089,354,000 (Estimate)
Dollars allocated for education (2005-2006): Unknown
Dollars allocated for Gifted and Talented programming (2004-2005): $35,012,279
Dollars allocated for Gifted and Talented programming (2005-2006): Unknown
Dollars allocated for Gifted and Talented programming (2006-2007): $27,685,985
Number of schools offering International Baccalaureate programs (2006-2007): 55
Percentage of all students scoring a 3 or above on Advanced Placement exams (2005-2006): 20.7%
Percentage of all students scoring a 3 or above on Advanced Placement exams (2006-2007): 21.5%
Students enrolled in grades K-12 (2004-2005): 1,204,808
Students enrolled in grades K-12 (2005-2006): Unknown
Students identified as Gifted and Talented (2004-2005): 159,377
Students identified as Gifted and Talented (2005-2006): Unknown
Students who have taken Advanced Placement exams in high school (2005-2006): 22,951
Students who have taken Advanced Placement exams in high school (2006-2007): 25,669

Click here for statistical information from previous years.

Legislation & Funding

Are there colleges/universities in the state that offer courses and/or degrees in gifted education?
Yes Click here for a list of Gifted Education Degree Programs.
Does gifted education legislation exist?
Yes Virginia Administrative Code (PDF)
Does legislation provide for an education program matched to the student's abilities?
Yes
Does the legislation mandate that gifted students be served?
Yes
Is identification of gifted students required by state law?
Yes
Is there legislation that mandates specialized training in gifted education for teachers of gifted students?
Yes
Was there funding for gifted programs for the 2004 - 2005 school year?
Yes
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.