House Bill 14-1102: Gifted Education Programs

• Replaces terminology of "exceptional children" with "gifted children" and establishes comprehensive framework for identifying and serving gifted students ages 4-21 in Colorado public schools.

• Requires each administrative unit to adopt a gifted education program plan, employ at least one half-time qualified gifted education person, and conduct universal screening by second grade to identify gifted children including underrepresented populations.

• Establishes "Advanced Learning Plans" (ALPs) for each identified gifted child specifying programming, services, and interventions tailored to the child's strengths and needs using evidence-based practices.

• Allows administrative units to identify and serve "highly advanced gifted children" ages 4-5 for early access to kindergarten or first grade, with criteria including aptitude, achievement, readiness, social behavior, motivation, and support from parents and educators.

• Appropriates $1,903,178 and 1.0 FTE from the state education fund for fiscal year 2014-15 to support universal screening and employment of qualified gifted education personnel.