Parent's Corner

Gifted Education in Colorado

Like special education, gifted education is administered through administrative units according to the language of Colorado's Exceptional Children’s Education Act (ECEA) statute. “Administrative Unit” or “AU” means a school district, board of cooperative services (BOCES), or the state Charter School Institute (CSI).

View list of districts and their administrative unit
View list of AU Gifted Education Directors/Coordinators
View information on Charter School authorizers
- Authorizers of charter schools administer the gifted program plan

AUs submit a Comprehensive Program Plan to Colorado Department of Education to describe implementation of the key requirements for gifted education as defined in ECEA Rules.

View AU Comprehensive Program Plans for Gifted Education

Parenting a Gifted Child

Answers to your frequently asked questions about gifted education

Is there a list of common terms and definitions for gifted education?

View the glossary of Gifted Education Terms and Definitions

How are gifted students identified?

Students are identified through an assessment process defined by the AU and aligned to the Exceptional Children's Education Act. A body of evidence is used to identify students in the areas of specific intellectual ability, academic aptitudes, and/or talent aptitudes.

What is Early Access?

Colorado law provides an opportunity for AUs to accelerate highly advanced gifted children under age 4 for kindergarten and/or under age 5 for first grade pursuant to CRS 22-20-204(2). The AU must have an approved plan on file with CDE to receive funding for an accelerated early access student. Providing Early Access is a local decision of the AU. Note: early access is different from early entrance into kindergarten or first grade.

Questions regarding early access should be directed to your local school district.

View more information about Early Access

After my child is identified, what type of programming will he/she receive?

Schools, districts, and AUs have the autonomy to determine programming options for gifted students. A child’s differentiated programming is describe in the Advanced Learning Plan.

What is an Advanced Learning Plan?

An Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) is a legal document [22-20-R-12.00, C.R.S.] outlining programming for identified gifted students and is used as a guide for educational planning and decision-making. The ALP is updated annually with new academic and affective goals based on individual student data and learning needs. Parents and students play a collaborative role in ALP development.

View more information about ALPs

Is gifted education required by law?

Gifted education is codified in Colorado statute. All public schools, including charter schools, shall identify and serve gifted students.

View House Bills for gifted education and the Exceptional Children’s Education Act Rules for administration of law

Can a student with disabilities also be identified as a gifted student?

If data indicate a student qualifies for gifted education and the student also has an IEP or 504, the student is considered a twice-exceptional (2e) gifted student.

View more information about twice-exceptional students

Is there an accountability system for gifted education?

Gifted students are a part of Colorado’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The Exceptional Children’s Education Act (ECEA) defines multiple avenues for monitoring an AU's gifted education program plan. District Unified Improvement Plans (UIPs) include the evaluation of gifted student achievement and growth data and specify a performance target for gifted student achievement and/or growth. The UIP is considered the Annual Plan as defined in ECEA.