Is an Individual Education Program (IEP) required for all properly identified gifted students in New Mexico?

In New Mexico, an Individual Education Program (IEP) is not required for all gifted students. An IEP is specifically designed for students with disabilities and is a legal document that outlines the educational plan for a student who qualifies under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Gifted students, while they may have unique needs that require differentiated instruction and support, do not fall under the same legal requirements as students with disabilities regarding an IEP. Instead, schools are generally encouraged to provide appropriate educational services for gifted students through other means, such as a gifted education program. This might include advanced coursework or specialized instructional strategies to meet their learning needs.

The other choices reflect misunderstandings of the requirements surrounding gifted education in New Mexico. For example, the notion that an IEP is necessary only for gifted students with disabilities does not align with the legal definitions and requirements, as not all gifted students have concurrent disabilities that necessitate an IEP. Similarly, the idea that IEPs are exclusive to students in special education overlooks the broader scope of educational services that can be implemented for students identified as gifted.