Howard County Public Schools

HCPSS Gifted and Talented Program

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) provides a comprehensive continuum of Gifted and Talented (G/T) services designed to identify, develop, and nurture advanced learners from elementary school through high school. Rather than offering a single gifted program, HCPSS integrates advanced instruction, enrichment, and accelerated coursework throughout a student’s educational journey.

The district follows the principles of the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) and believes giftedness can be demonstrated in many ways and develop over time. Students are provided opportunities to explore their strengths, deepen their understanding, and engage in rigorous learning experiences that promote creativity, critical thinking, and academic excellence.

How HCPSS Identifies Gifted Learners

Howard County uses a multiple-criteria identification process to determine which students may benefit from Gifted and Talented services. Rather than relying on a single assessment, the district considers a broad range of information, including:

• Cognitive ability
• Academic achievement
• Classroom performance
• Teacher observations
• Student work samples
• Creativity
• Motivation and task commitment
• Additional assessment data

HCPSS recognizes that giftedness is often characterized by the interaction of three important qualities:

• Above-average ability
• High levels of creativity
• Strong task commitment

This holistic approach helps identify students with exceptional potential across a variety of academic areas.

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Elementary School Gifted and Talented Services

Every Howard County elementary school provides differentiated instruction and enrichment opportunities for advanced learners.

Gifted and Talented Resource Teachers collaborate with classroom teachers to provide instruction that extends beyond grade-level expectations in areas such as:

• Language Arts
• Mathematics
• Critical thinking
• Problem solving
• Research skills
• Creativity
• Communication
• Independent learning

Mathematics Identification

Historically, Howard County has used assessments such as the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT®) as one component of identifying students for advanced mathematics instruction. Placement decisions are based on multiple measures rather than a single test score.

Students demonstrating advanced mathematical reasoning and achievement may receive accelerated instruction designed to prepare them for future advanced coursework.

Primary Talent Development

One of the district’s signature elementary initiatives is Primary Talent Development, which introduces all kindergarten and first-grade students to higher-level thinking strategies.

Through engaging lessons, students develop skills such as:

• Creative thinking
• Analytical reasoning
• Flexible problem solving
• Collaboration
• Communication

Because every student participates, teachers can identify emerging strengths while helping all learners build advanced thinking skills.

Gifted and Talented Instructional Seminars

Many elementary schools also offer enrichment seminars led by Gifted and Talented Resource Teachers.

Depending on the school, students may explore topics such as:

• Scientific investigation
• Engineering
• Writing
• Public speaking
• Visual arts
• Technology
• Research
• Performing arts

Students often complete independent or collaborative projects and share their work with classmates and the community.

Research Investigations

Students with strong interests in specific subjects may participate in long-term research investigations.

Working individually or in small groups, students:

• Investigate authentic problems
• Conduct research
• Analyze information
• Design original solutions
• Present their findings

These experiences help develop inquiry, creativity, and independent learning skills.

Middle School Gifted and Talented Programs

All Howard County middle schools offer advanced Gifted and Talented coursework in core academic subjects, including:

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social Studies

Gifted and Talented teachers work collaboratively across subject areas to create interdisciplinary learning experiences that encourage:

• Critical thinking
• Research
• Discussion
• Creativity
• Independent inquiry
• Problem solving

Many schools also provide additional enrichment opportunities such as:

• Writers Guild
• National History Day
• Shakespeare programs
• STEM competitions
• Research projects
• Academic clubs

Placement into Middle School G/T Courses

Students are considered for middle school Gifted and Talented classes using multiple sources of information, which may include:

• Cognitive ability assessments
• Classroom performance
• Teacher recommendations
• Student work samples
• Academic achievement
• Additional district assessments

Families who have questions about placement decisions may request a placement review through the district’s established procedures.

High School Gifted and Talented Opportunities

Every Howard County high school offers an extensive selection of advanced academic opportunities.

Students may enroll in:

• Gifted and Talented courses
• Honors courses
• Advanced Placement (AP)
• Research courses
• Computer Science
• World Languages
• Fine Arts
• STEM pathways

Students may also participate in Independent Research and Intern/Mentor Programs, which allow them to pursue original research or creative projects in areas of personal interest while working with teachers, university partners, businesses, or community mentors.

These experiences encourage innovation, scholarship, and real-world application of knowledge.

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Characteristics of Gifted Learners

Students who participate in HCPSS Gifted and Talented programs often demonstrate characteristics such as:

• Advanced reasoning
• Strong curiosity
• Creativity
• Rapid learning
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Advanced vocabulary
• Independent thinking
• Persistence
• Leadership potential
• Passion for learning

Because gifted students develop at different rates, Howard County provides multiple opportunities for identification throughout a student’s academic career.

How TestingMom Can Help

TestingMom helps students strengthen the reasoning and academic skills commonly considered during gifted identification.

Our resources include practice in:

• Verbal reasoning
• Quantitative reasoning
• Nonverbal reasoning
• Reading comprehension
• Mathematics
• Logic
• Pattern recognition
• Critical thinking
• Executive function skills

We also offer one-on-one tutoring for students preparing for assessments commonly used by gifted programs, including the CogAT® and other nationally normed measures.

Whether your child is preparing for advanced mathematics, Gifted and Talented coursework, or simply enjoys academic challenges, TestingMom provides engaging activities that build confidence, strengthen higher-level thinking skills, and support long-term academic success.

Start preparing your child today for Howard County Public Schools’ Gifted and Talented program with TestingMom’s great test-prep resources. Download our 100 Free Questions now!

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