Well, I was identified, but I don't really recall any sort of meaningful differentiation. I was already at a science and math magnate school... but the gifted program was just a pull out for one hour once a week for puzzles and challenges. Though, there were two grade levels in the same class, so lower grades could differentiate up to one grade level.
Overall, I think that at the time gifted and high achieving were too often conflated, meaning that if you dropped below a certain level of achievement, they didn't really work with you to overcome the problem. you just went back to grade level.
I have always found giftedness to be a hindrance to me more than anything. I developed very poor study habits, and have yet to study for anything. It has not served me very well so far... oh well.
