productive thinking, leadership ability, and skills in the visual and .
performing arts. The main requirement, the IQ, is tested by a .
standardized IQ test (remember, however, that IQ tests are not always .
perfectly accurate). Ratings are given to each bracket of IQ scores:.
85-99 Lower normal .
100-114 Upper normal .
115-129 Bright .
130-144 Gifted .
145-159 Highly gifted .
160+ Above profoundly gifted.
If a student receives a rating of "gifted" or higher (130+), he/she is .
considered to be a gifted student and is introduced into the .
designated programs. These students are given the opportunity to .
choose classes that are meant to teach them how to use their minds for .
critical thinking, reasoning, and artistic pursuits. Students in .
these classes are also exposed to culture, literature, and other .
subject areas that are not usually covered in what they term "normal .
classes". The gifted classes are mainly in an open format allowing .
the student to create the parameters of his/her work and allowing them .
to be creative in their learning experience. Each class is .
presided-over by a teacher that has generally has specialized degrees in gifted .
education. Almost every school in the United States has a need for a .
gifted class, making job opportunities endless; there are never .
enough.
Gifted teachers many times must have both a degree in education .
(secondary or elementary) and a degree in special education (gifted). .
These teachers are individuals that must have stamina, people skills, .
and open minds. In many classrooms, it can be beneficial to the students to know that the teacher himself/herself was also classified as gifted. It sets a .
common bond, shows them that the teacher understands the problems they .
face as so-called "smart kids". These students are often ridiculed by .
their peers and sometimes looked-down upon by their teachers. They are often .
separated from others their age by a barrier that can only be .
