Know Where You Stand
Many New Jersey families spend years advocating in their school district for their gifted or twice-exceptional child — not realizing they are not asking for favors. They are asking for what the law already requires. This page breaks it down in plain language so every parent and family knows exactly where they stand.
New Jersey Has One of the Strongest Gifted Education Laws in the Country
In January 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed the Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Act into law. It took effect July 1, 2020 and changed what every New Jersey public school district is required to do for gifted and talented students — in every district, in every grade from kindergarten through 12th grade.
This law exists because of advocacy. NJAGC’s State Advocacy Committee was instrumental in getting it passed — and understanding it is one of the most powerful tools a parent advocate can have.
The bottom line: gifted and talented education in New Jersey is not optional. It is not a privilege. It is the law.
What Your District Is Required to Do
Identify gifted students using multiple measures
Your district must have an ongoing identification process for gifted and talented students from kindergarten through 12th grade. They are required to use multiple types of assessments — a single test score cannot be the reason your child is excluded from gifted services. Identification must be based on how your child performs compared to others in the same district, not statewide or national averages, so that gifted students can be found and served in every district regardless of size or demographics.
The New Jersey Department of Education provides guidance on identification requirements and best practices. These resources are helpful for any parent advocate who wants to understand exactly what the law expects of their district:
Provide services that match your child’s needs
Once identified, your district must provide services that address your child’s specific strengths — not a one-size-fits-all enrichment activity. Services must meet your child where they actually are, not just where their grade level says they should be.
Be transparent and share information publicly
Every New Jersey district is required by law to post clear information on its website about how gifted students are identified, the screening timeline, and what services and programs are available. If you cannot find this information on your district’s website, that is worth asking about.
Twice-Exceptional and 2e Students
Twice-exceptional, or 2e, students are gifted and also have a learning difference, disability, ADHD, autism, or another challenge. Being twice-exceptional never disqualifies a child from gifted and talented services. All students — including 2e students with IEPs or 504 plans — must have a fair chance to be screened, with testing accommodations if needed. Both sets of needs must be addressed and both sets of rights apply.
What to Do If You Have Questions or Concerns
Start by asking — in writing
Check your district’s website first. If you cannot find what you need, email your child’s teacher, gifted coordinator, or principal directly. Before any school meeting, request testing and screening results in advance so you can come prepared. After the meeting, send a follow-up email summarizing what was discussed and any agreed next steps. A written record is one of the most practical tools a parent advocate has.
If informal conversations do not resolve the issue
Every district is required to have a formal complaint process for gifted and talented concerns published on its website. If the issue remains unresolved at the Board of Education level, families have the right to appeal to the New Jersey Commissioner of Education within 90 days of the Board’s decision.
A member of our Professional Development Committee will follow up to discuss your goals, timelines and service options.
Not sure how to start the conversation with your district?
The NJAGC Parent & Family Toolkit walks you through it step by step written in plain language, for every parent.
Have Questions? Come to one of our meetings.
Our virtual Parent & Family Group meets twice a month and is free and open to all New Jersey families. Sign up to get meeting invites, the virtual link, and resources delivered directly to your inbox.
