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 Accelerated and Enriched Instruction → Twice Exceptional Students and Services 

Twice Exceptional Students and Services

Introduction

Twice exceptional students are identified as gifted and talented and also have met criteria for an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a Section 504 plan. These students have a unique profile of significant strengths and weaknesses, thus they require support and special services in order to access appropriately challenging curriculum. The information on this site is designed to support parents and educators as they strive to identify and determine appropriate services for twice exceptional students in MCPS.

Programs and Services for Twice Exceptional Students 

MCPS is one of the very few school districts in the nation that offers comprehensive services for students who are twice exceptional at the elementary, middle and high school level. Twice exceptional students access accelerated and enriched instruction with appropriate supports and services at their local school, within a magnet/choice program, or within a special education service.

  •  Wings Mentor Program  - The WINGS Program, coordinated by Accelerated and Enriched Instruction, is designed to provide additional support to gifted/learning disabled students who are struggling to succeeding in the regular education classroom. (Program is currently on hold)
  • School-Based Special Education Services - A comprehensive list and descriptions of all MCPS school-based special education services including local school and discrete services.
  • Magnet and Choice Programs- Given their intellectual  and academic strengths and interests, often twice exceptional students are good candidates for regional magnet or choice programs.  Admission into magnet and choice programs is not part of the IEP process.   An IEP Team placement may superceed an invitation into a choice or magnet program. 

MCPS Resources

 

Additional Resources and Weblinks

  • GT/LD Network- A non-profit, parent organization dedicated to supporting gifted students who learn differently.
  • Council for Exceptional Children- The Association for the Gifted- The Association for the Gifted (TAG), as a Division of CEC, has been the leading voice for special and gifted education. CEC-TAG establishes professional standards for teacher preparation for the field, develops initiatives to improve gifted education practice, and ensures that the needs of children and youth with exceptionalities are met in educational legislation.
  • National Association for Gifted Children- NAGC empowers all who support children with advanced abilities in accessing equitable opportunities that develop their gifts and talents. We do this through advocacy, outreach, education, and research.
  • Neurodiversity Podcast - Just because a child is gifted doesn't mean they don't have other types of neurodivergence, like ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and more. The Neurodiversity Podcast talks with leaders in the fields of psychology, education, and beyond, about positively impacting neurodivergent people.
  • What is 2e? A Guide to Twice-Exceptionality-  According to the Oak Foundation, approximately 20 percent of children (10 million students) in United States public schools have learning profiles that are not aligned with the expectations and teaching methodologies prevalent in mainstream school systems. Yet, there is limited educational literature providing comprehensive theory and strategies for meeting their academic and social emotional needs, and misdiagnoses, missed diagnoses, and misunderstood behaviors are common problems.

  • 2E at W&M: Twice Exceptional Conference- The 2e @ W&M: Twice Exceptional Online Conference focuses on twice-exceptional (high-ability/gifted with learning differences/disabilities or neurodiverse) children at home and at school. The conference aims to provide research based and best practice, resources, support, and community building opportunities to educators, administrators, parents, practitioners, counselors, and district personnel.

Contact Information

For more information, please contact the twice exceptional instructional specialist in Accelerated and Enriched Instruction by emailing AEIquestions@mcpsmd.org or calling  240-740-3110.

 

Updated 12/15/2023