Gifted and talented (GT) children are present in all student groups, regardless of gender, disability, English language proficiency, economic status, and ethnic or cultural background. The GT teacher at your school can provide resources to assist in recognizing characteristics and strengths of gifted and talented MLLs for inclusion into GT programming.

Denver Public Schools offers universal gifted and talented screening - please explore the information below to learn more for your school level.

• Gifted education is covered by the ECEA (Exceptional Children’s Education Act) which provides formal rules in order to identify students as gifted and talented across a variety of pathways allowing flexibility for students within MLE services and MLL’s to become identified.

• A variety of assessments used for identification may be provided in students’ home language. Some assessments are readily available and others may need to be translated through the Gifted & Talented team upon request. Please partner with your school’s GT teacher to help with identification.

• Identification for students can occur at any grade level using cognitive and academic assessments as well as observation scales or portfolios with appropriate language accommodations. Your school’s GT teacher can assist with identification and participation in assessments.

• MLL’s demonstrating characteristics of giftedness should participate in gifted services whether formally identified or as part of the talent pool.

• Strengths and talents are best developed through a variety of programming options including cluster grouping, classroom teachers trained in GT instructional strategies, and in gifted programming models such as pull-out, push-in, accelerated or compacted curriculum. For additional information on programming and service models please refer to the School Leader Guidance for Gifted and Talented Education.

• Ideal gifted programming would occur in the student’s home language and using culturally responsive education.

• Data has shown that students who have demonstrated multilingual proficiency in general score higher than their same age peers on academic achievement and cognitive assessments.

It is ultimately the responsibility of the school leader to ensure that all MLLs are placed appropriately and are receiving appropriate MLE/ELA-S and Gifted Education services. The school leader can and should collaborate with the Gifted Education teacher and GT Coordinator to meet this responsibility. Contact giftedandtalented@dpsk12.org with questions.