Definition of Giftedness
Françoys Gagné and Cathie Harrison
What is Giftedness?
Francoys Gagne’s Differentiated Model of Giftedness (DMGT) states that:
- ‘Giftedness is the possession and use of outstanding natural abilities to a degree that places an individual at least among the top 10% of age peers in one or more of the following ability domains: intellectual, creative, social, perceptual and physical.’
- ‘Talent is the outstanding mastery of systematically developed abilities called competencies, knowledge and skills in at least one field of human performance which is at least in the top 10% of age peers in that domain.’
Dr Cathie Harrison (2003) defines the gifted child as being one:
- ‘who performs or who has the ability to perform at a level significantly beyond his or her chronologically aged peers and whose unique abilities and characteristics require special provisions and social and emotional support from the family, community and educational context.’
Policy Documents
Queensland
- Education Queensland Equity and Excellence (September 2023)
- The Action Plan and Framework have been repealed (2013) - latest Education Queensland gifted policy and supporting information can be found at:
- Australian Curriculum - view Gifted and Talented provision under the Student Diversity tab.
