Gate Program Gifted Characteristics

  • This is a list of characteristics that may help distinguish "Bright Children" from "Gifted  Learners" as stated by Janice Szabos. This is an important distinction when identifying GATE eligible students.  Of course, these are generalizations. 

    BRIGHT CHILD GIFTED LEARNER

    Knows the answers
    Is interested
    Is attentive
    Has good ideas
    Works hard
    Answers the questions
    Top group
    Listens with interest
    Learns with ease
    6-8 repetitions for mastery
    Understands ideas
    Enjoys peers
    Grasps the meaning
    Completes assignments
    Is receptive
    Copies accurately
    Enjoys school
    Absorbs information
    Technician
    Good memory
    Is alert
    Is pleased with own learning
    Enjoys straightforward, sequential, presentations

    		 Asks the question
    Is highly curious
    Is mentally & physically involved
    Has wild, intriguing ideas
    May play around yet tests well
    Discusses in detail; elaborates
    Beyond the top group
    Shows strong feelings & opinions
    Already knows
    Understands ideas
    Constructs abstractions
    Prefers adults
    Draws inferences
    Initiates projects
    May be intense
    Creates a new design
    Enjoys learning
    Manipulates information
    Inventor
    Good guesser
    Is keenly observant
    Is highly self-critical
    Thrives on complexity 

     

    In her book, Differentiating Instruction in the Regular Classroom, Dr. Diane Heacox compiled a list of typical characteristics of gifted learners:
    - High levels of retention with an extraordinary amount of information  
    - An accelerated pace of learning -Advanced comprehension, deep understanding
    - Usually varied interests and curiosity
    - An advanced vocabulary
    - Flexibility of thinking
    - An ability to generate original ideas and solutions
    - An ability to think in abstract terms and sense consequences
    - Evaluative, judgmental thinking
    - Persistent goal-directed behavior