Gifted education has been around for many years. Although there is no one "true" definition of giftedness, most educators in gifted education will agree that gifted students need additional challenges and problem-solving skills that cannot be met in the regular education classroom.
Pitt County School's Philosophy of Giftedness... The Pitt County School System believes that all students are unique in their abilities to learn and is committed to their continuous academic progress. Because academically and intellectually gifted students require a higher level of intellectual stimulation than that provided by the regular school program, an educational system must be provided which affords these students the opportunity to develop to their potential.
****Pitt County Schools endorses the North Carolina definition of giftedness and develops programs and services that address these needs.****
North Carolina's Definition of Giftedness... Academically or intellectually gifted students perform or show the potential to perform at substantially high levels of accomplishment when compared with others of their age, experience or environment. Academically or intellectually gifted students exhibit high performance capability in intellectual areas, specific academic fields or in both intellectual areas and specific academic fields. Academically or intellectually gifted students require differentiated education services beyond those ordinarily provided by the regular educational program. Outstanding abilities are present in students from all cultural groups, across all economic strata and in all of human endeavor.
References Pitt County Schools (2014). Pitt County School's Philosophy and North Carolina's Definition of Giftedness. Retrieved from www.pitt.k12.nc.us