1. a. The Commissioner of Education shall develop guidance for school districts concerning the identification of English language learners for gifted and talented programs. The purposes and objectives of the guidance shall be to:

(1) assist school districts in identifying English language learners in grades kindergarten through 12 who are gifted and talented so that they may be matched with programs that will help them achieve in accordance with their full capabilities; and

(2) provide guidelines on appropriate identification methods that may help reduce the underrepresentation of English language learners in gifted and talented programs.

b. The guidance developed by the commissioner shall include, but not be limited to, information on: recognizing and addressing potential challenges in the process of identifying English language learners who are gifted and talented; the use of multiple methods and measures in assessing the eligibility of English language learners for gifted and talented programs; and the importance of professional development for and collaboration among teachers in the identification process, including teachers of English language learner programs, teachers of gifted and talented programs, and general classroom teachers.

L.2017, c.171, s.1.