Foreword
Gifted and talented students: Meeting their needs in New Zealand schools aims to support schools and teachers in assisting gifted and talented students to reach their full potential academically, emotionally, and socially.
Rationale
This resource was produced in response to the growing awareness that many of our gifted and talented students go unrecognised, and that those who are identified often do not take part in an educational programme appropriate to their needs.
Enabling our gifted and talented students to reach their full potential will make an important contribution to the Ministry of Education's mission of "raising achievement and reducing disparity".
The revised National Administrative Guidelines (NAGS) provides boards of trustees and school leaders with the responsibility and authority to meet the learning needs of this group of students.
Aims
Gifted and talented students: Meeting their needs in New Zealand schools is intended for principals, senior managers, and key teachers responsible for programmes for gifted and talented students.
This resource provides information to assist with the development of a school policy and the identification of gifted and talented students. It discusses a range of principles and practices in the education of gifted and talented students, and it presents models on which schools can base their own programmes to best meet the needs of their students.
I would like to acknowledge and thank all those who have contributed their experience and expertise to the development of this resource.
Howard Fancy
Secretary for Education (2000)
New Zealand Ministry of Education