In this subtitle, “gifted and talented student” means an elementary or secondary student who is identified by professionally qualified individuals as: Having outstanding talent and performing, or showing the potential for performing, at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared with other students of a similar age, experience, or environment; Exhibiting high performance capability in intellectual, creative, or artistic areas; Possessing an unusual leadership capacity; or Excelling in specific academic fields. Beginning with the 2022–2023 school year, a gifted and talented student in middle school, 9th grade, or 10th grade may meet the college and career readiness standard under § 7–205.1 of this article. Each local school system shall develop accelerated pathways and enrichment programs for gifted and talented students to achieve college and career readiness before the end of the 10th grade.

The General Assembly finds that: A gifted and talented student needs different services beyond those normally provided by the regular school program in order to develop the student’s potential; and Gifted and talented students are to be found in youth from all cultural groups, across all economic strata, and in all areas of human endeavor.

The State Board shall encourage each county board to develop and implement programs for gifted and talented students.

To the extent funds are provided in the State budget or are available from other sources, the State Board shall provide guidance, consultative and technical assistance, and fiscal support for programs that include: Teacher training to incorporate instruction in methods and techniques that are designed to enable teachers to identify and teach gifted and talented students; Research undertaken to help develop new or modified curricula for gifted and talented students; and Evaluation, demonstration, and distribution of findings that are related to programs for gifted and talented students.