Gifted and Talented
Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) identifies and supports gifted/advanced learners with challenging learning opportunities to meet their needs and help them reach their full potential.
MPS offers a variety of services for advanced learners, such as enrichment activities, talent development programs, family STEM nights, differentiated instruction, online advanced courses, and other specialized resources. These services help students build critical thinking, creativity, and a passion for lifelong learning. We also focus on equity and access to make sure all advanced learners can grow, strengthen their talents, and become confident individuals.
Types of Advanced Learners
DPI’s Definition of Giftedness
Gifted and Talented
In Wisconsin, “gifted and talented” means students who show significantly high-performance capability in intellectual, creative, artistic, leadership, or specific academic areas and need services or activities not ordinarily provided in a regular school program to fully develop their talents.
High Ability/High Potential (HA/HP)
“High ability/high potential” (HA/HP) refers to students who are above the average-ability student in intellectual, creative, artistic, leadership, or specific academic areas and need enrichment, differentiation, or intervention to fully develop their talents.
Identification Methods
MPS uses a multicriteria identification process to identify students who may benefit from gifted services or special programs. Since 2022, MPS has used local norms to increase identification of students from ethnically diverse, multilingual backgrounds and with a wide range of needs. This approach reflects the students we serve and uses several measures to build a full profile of each student.
Grade 2: Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)
CogAT is an abilities test given to all second graders in the district. It measures learned reasoning and problem-solving skills in three areas: verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal. Measuring three separate cognitive domains provides a broader perspective than other assessments.
Grades K5–5: Teacher Observation of Potential in Students (TOPS)
The TOPS Tool is used by trained teachers of grades K- 5 to identify students’ strengths to enhance instruction and provide enrichment opportunities to further develop students’ talent. However, the TOPS Tool is also used in MPS to formally identify GT students in leadership and creativity/artistic domains in grades K-8.
Grades K5–8: i-Ready District Achievement Assessment
Given three times a year, these computer-adaptive tests measure student achievement in reading and math.
Grades 3–8: WI Forward Exam
This annual, computer-based standardized test assesses student achievement in English language arts and mathematics (grades 3–8), science (grades 4 and 8), and social studies (grades 4, 8, and 10).
Intellectual Ability Assessment (IQ Test)
Administered by a school psychologist, this tool measures a range of cognitive abilities.
Learn More About Identifying Gifted Students (Pages 3–5)
After students are formally identified as HA/HP or GT, a flag is assigned to their profile in Infinite Campus (IC). This flag follows the student throughout their time with MPS.
Support Strategies
Once identified, students receive access to appropriate resources, services, and/or programs tailored to their specific needs, which fosters their continued growth and development. These start first and foremost in the classroom through differentiation and enrichment. We use best practices such as:
- Flexible cluster grouping—grouping students based on their academic achievement, abilities, or interests
- Curriculum compacting—streamlining content students have already mastered
- Tiered lessons and assignments—offering different levels of tasks to match students’ needs
- Inquiry-based learning (student-centered)—increasing critical thinking skills through asking questions, exploring real-world problems, and investigating
- Replacement curriculum—using a very accelerated curriculum for students who have already mastered grade-level standards.
- STEM education—integrating STEM practices within science instruction
MPS also provides access to programs and services based on students' strengths, interests, and academic performance. Services and programs vary depending on grade bands.
Talent Development Model
MPS embraces a K–12 talent development model that seeks to identify, nurture, and develop students’ gifts and talents in all areas. We offer a variety of school programs that promote critical and creative thinking, complex reasoning, global mindedness, problem solving, and 21st-century learning skills. Advanced learners may have access to more intensive services, including specialized programs, single-subject acceleration, and whole-grade acceleration.
| Elementary School (K–5): Emerging Talent |
Middle School (6–8): Competency |
High School (9–12): |
|---|---|---|
|
Early enrichment in school |
Acceleration and enrichment |
Mentorship and apprenticeship |
|
Early exposure and exploration of subjects |
Talent focus area |
Advanced coursework |
| Like-minded peers | Collaboration with like- minded peers |
Networking with peers and professionals |
| A joy in learning |
High achievement focus |
Independent research and projects |
|
Foundational knowledge |
School-based and extracurricular programs that develop foundational knowledge |
Authentic work within a field |
| Career exploration |
Additional Support
MPS works closely with principals and teachers to provide professional development on gifted teaching strategies for meeting the unique needs of advanced learners. We also collaborate with community organizations and other MPS stakeholders to offer enrichment opportunities and programming for gifted students and their families.
Projects and Partnerships
MPS partners with federal funding programs and leading educational organizations to improve equity, develop innovative learning spaces, and provide research-based supports for advanced students.
MPS follows Wisconsin State Statute 118.35, Administrative Policy 7.14, and Procedure 7.14.
More Information
If you have any questions, please contact:
Dr. Germán Díaz, Gifted and Talented Coordinator
Email: diazga@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
Phone: (414) 475-8223
Dr. Martha López, Gifted and Talented Instructional Coach
Email: lopezm2@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
Phone: (414) 475-8401