How do the Ontario Ministry of Education and school boards define giftedness?
Ministry of Education: Giftedness is, “an unusually advanced degree of general intellectual ability that requires differentiated learning experiences of a depth and breadth beyond those normally provided in the regular school program to satisfy the level of educational potential indicated.” (Source: Special Education: A Guide for Educators, p. A20) While school boards use the same definition, they vary widely in whether or how they go about finding gifted students and what criteria (often test scores) are used for recognition. Some of that information is included in each board’s Special Education Plan (look on the board’s website or ask to see a copy at your child’s school); for other information, contact your local ABC chapter and/or call a member of the Special Education Advisory Committee for your board (again, look at the website for membership or call your Trustee). Issues around these definitions generally have to do with availability of certain placements for instruction, such a
