(a) In any city or town where there is a child eligible to attend elementary or secondary schools who is either gifted or talented to an extent that a standard educational program would not foster potential development, the school committee of the city or town may provide the type of educational program that will satisfy the needs of the gifted or talented child in grades pre-kindergarten through twelve (12), the program to be approved by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education.
(b) Providing programs and services for gifted and talented elementary or secondary level students:
(1) Requires an educational program and/or service which is different from that normally provided in the standard school program and which is educationally, personally, and socially beneficial; and
(2) Requires that programs developed serve students who demonstrate unique talents and/or superior capabilities in areas such as specific academic aptitude, creative thinking, intelligence, visual, performing and industrial arts, and leadership.