ABSTRACT
In order to collaborate effectively, it is important for educators to have some basic information about gifted education and talent development, information they can share with parents. This chapter includes definitions of giftedness and talent development, characteristics of children with gifts and talents, federal guidelines for special needs learners, and the rights of gifted children. As teachers prepare to talk with parents about giftedness and/or talent development, it would be useful to have some common understandings. Both federal definitions provide a wide lens for viewing and recognizing gifts and talents among children and young people. The definitions specify that children may be gifted and talented in general intellectual ability or in a specific academic area such as mathematics, social studies, science, and/or language arts. Solid collaboration is based on common goals for children with gifts and talents.
