According to Florida State Statute 6A-6.03019, gifted students are those described as having superior intellectual development and being of high performance.

A student is found eligible for special instructional programs for the gifted if the following criteria are met:

• Superior intellectual development as measured by an intelligence quotient (IQ) of two standard deviations above the mean (100=mean, one standard deviation=115, two standard deviations=130) on an individually administered standardized test of intelligence (Page 235 of Volume I-B of the Florida Statutes and State Board of Education Rules.)

• A majority (81 out of a possible 160) of points earned on the Gifted Characteristics Checklist.

• Need for a differentiated curriculum above and beyond that of the regular classroom.