The guidelines are intended to help districts design, implement, and evaluate educational programs for gifted and talented students in Minnesota. Educational components of a gifted education program plan are listed, followed by analysis of the following topics: development of a gifted education program plan (a two-stage process involving initial planning, implementation, evaluation, maintenance, refinement, and expansion of the program); school district personnel responsibilities (staff and non-staff responsibilities); staff development (classes/workshops, observations, resources); identification (definitions, criteria); program provisions (enrichment, acceleration, guidance); curriculum (illustrations of differentiated curricula); and evaluation. (CL)