Why are some kids labeled "gifted"?

Unfortunately the previous answers are not correct.

Actually most gifted services are offered through the special education department, but do not really have the same procedures. As opposed to an Individualized Education Plan, they have and Education Plan and are not considered disabled in any way. The REASON this is usually handled through special ed is that because of their giftedness, they require a different kind of instruction that meets their needs.

Just being smart and getting good grades are not indications that one is gifted. The process of being tested for gifted not only requires an IQ above 130, but also requires a high score on a gifted checklist. Gifted children can be behavior problems and are often much more intense and curious than smart kids and frequently do not get good grades. Here is a list of some of the main characteristics of the gifted:

*Learn quickly and easily; have the ability to abstract and reason critically; see relationships between ideas and events

*Become bored and frustrated; dislike repetition and shallow curriculum; hide abilities to gain acceptance; receive negative adult attitudes to smartness

*Exhibit verbal proficiency

*Dominate discussion; have difficulty with listening skills; exhibit manipulative behavior

*Have a high energy level

*Need less sleep; become frustrated with inactivity, lack challenge or active inquiry

*Exhibit heightened curiosity

Take on too many activities

*Be extremely persistent; concentrate on tasks of high interest for extended periods

Disrupt class routine; feel stifled by restrictions; resist interruption or schedules; be perceived as stubborn, uncooperative

*Exhibit different learning styles – accelerated; desiring mastery, achievement and/or – enriched: desiring depth of knowledge, the need to experience, emotional investment in subject, imagination

*Become frustrated with absence of progress; be prone to being “overdriven” and/or not be motivated by results; be resistant to interruption; be seen as time wasting or preoccupied

*Exhibit unusual emotional depth and intensity

Be unusually vulnerable; feel confused if thoughts and feelings not taken seriously

*Be highly sensitive; be acutely perceptive

Be perceived as immature; try to mask feelings to conform; be vulnerable to criticism

*Be concerned with adult/moral issues; be idealistic

Attempt unrealistic reforms; feel frustrated, angry, depressed; develop a cynical attitude; receive intolerance from age peers

*Aim at perfection

Set unrealistically high goals; feel inadequate; feel frustrated with others; fear failure, inhibiting attempts in new areas

*Exhibit independence, nonconformity

Have a tendency to challenge and question indiscreetly; have difficulty with rigid conformity, may be penalized; exhibit rebellious behavior

*Have a heightened self-awareness, feelings of being difficult

Experience social isolation; regard difference as bad, worthless, resulting in low self-esteem

*Have a keen sense of humor

Use humor inappropriately or to attack others; feel confused when humor is not understood; feel rejected by others

*Possess unusual imagination

Be seen as weird; feel stifled by lack of creative opportunities

*Respond and relate to older children and adults

Experience social isolation; be seen as show off, odd, superior, critical; be rejected by older children

Now you see why we have gifted programs. These kids truly have special needs and often they will disrupt a regular classroom because they want more information or have learned everything the teacher has to say the first second. They ARE deeply curious about anything and do in depth investigations on a variety of subjects and will retain everything they learn about it, even as they get off onto another tangent.

huh? What kind of question is this? It's because they have amazing minds which can understand stuff quick. Amazing talents and beauty. That's some of the things gifted comes under

Smarter and more disciplined. My mom says I'm gifted but with a 3.0 GPA I know I'm just average!

You mean like Autistic Savants? if so it's because their skills in one area is much better then others of their age range, or mental level