psychomotor ability, specific academic aptitude/talent, creative and .

             productive thinking, leadership ability, and skills in the visual and .

             performing arts. The main requirement, the IQ, is tested by a .

             standardized IQ test (remember, however, that IQ tests are not always .

             perfectly accurate). Ratings are given to each bracket of IQ scores:.

             85-99 Lower normal .

             100-114 Upper normal .

             115-129 Bright .

             130-144 Gifted .

             145-159 Highly gifted .

             160+ Above profoundly gifted.

             If a student receives a rating of "gifted" or higher (130+), he/she is .

             considered to be a gifted student and is introduced into the .

             designated programs. These students are given the opportunity to .

             choose classes that are meant to teach them how to use their minds for .

             critical thinking, reasoning, and artistic pursuits. Students in .

             these classes are also exposed to culture, literature, and other .

             subject areas that are not usually covered in what they term "normal .

             classes". The gifted classes are mainly in an open format allowing .

             the student to create the parameters of his/her work and allowing them .

             to be creative in their learning experience. Each class is .

             presided-over by a teacher that has specialized degrees in gifted .

             education. Almost every school in the United States has a need for a .

             gifted class, making job opportunities endless; there are never .

             enough.

             Gifted teachers must have both a degree in education .

             (secondary or elementary) and a degree in special education (gifted). .

             These teachers are individuals that must have stamina, people skills, .

             and open minds. It is also important (to the students) that the .

             teacher himself/herself was also classified as gifted. It sets a .

             common bond, shows them that the teacher understands the problems they .

             face as so-called "smart kids". These students are often ridiculed by .

             their peers and looked-down upon by their teachers. They are often .

             separated from others their age by a barrier that can only be .