Estell Manor School Gifted and Talented Program
GRADES K-2
Teachers in these grade levels will complete a Teacher Recommendation form which includes evaluation of common traits of gifted students. Any student receiving a minimum score of 60 on the Teacher Recommendation Form will be identified as a student who would benefit from having a differentiated curriculum. Differentiation methodologies are already identified within the Estell Manor School curriculum and the district-provided materials. Strategies are provided within these resources. These classroom teachers will also consult with the district curriculum director and/or designated gifted and talented staff resource teacher as needed.
GRADES 3-8
Students in these grade levels will be identified using a multi-measure matrix which includes the Teacher Recommendation Form, the Screening Assessment for Gifted Elementary and Middle School Students (SAGES-3), and benchmark score performance. Identification will begin in June for the following school year, and will use benchmark scores from the spring/end-of-year assessment. Students that achieve the “strongly recommended” or “mostly recommended” level on the Identification Matrix will be identified for placement in the program. Students achieving below these levels on the Matrix will be considered for placement on a case-by-case basis.
Identified students in grades 3-8 will participate in differentiated activities within their normal classroom settings as well as meet with the designated gifted and talented staff resource teacher two periods per week for thematic cross-curricular project-based activities which incorporate problem solving and critical thinking. The topics and courses of study will vary based on student levels and interests. Once students have been identified to participate in the gifted and talented program, they will continue to participate from year to year unless they begin to experience academic and/or classroom difficulties. If this occurs, consultation with the classroom teacher, the teacher of gifted and talented, the parents, and the director of curriculum will determine a course of action that best fits the student’s needs.
In November of each year, teachers will be given the opportunity to nominate students who may not have previously been identified, as well as any students that were new to the district. If a student is new to the district, comparable measures from his/her previous school will be used to complete the Identification Matrix.
In grade 8, students that have demonstrated advanced mathematical ability in grade 7 will be placed in Algebra I as a means of curriculum acceleration. This placement will be based on math teacher recommendation, classroom performance, benchmark assessments, and performance on state assessments.
The following are possible themes that may be addressed during the course of the year. The actual themes covered may vary from grade to grade and year to year based on student interests and abilities.
★ Innovations and Innovators
★ Mysteries of the Unexplained
★ Math and Patterns Around Us
★ Mythology/Mythical Creatures
★ Survival
★ Environmental Studies
★ Adaptation
★ Independent Study
★ Exploration
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE OTHERWISE GIFTED
● Choir
● Drama Club
● Yearbook
● Journalism Club
● Athletics Teams
● Spelling Bee Competition
ANTICIPATED ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR
● Art Club
● STEM classes
● Enrichment/Genius Period
● Accelerated math classes for grades 6-7
APPEAL PROCESS
The parents or guardians of any student denied inclusion into the Gifted & Talented program may appeal the decision. Appeals process:
● Begins by contacting the Gifted & Talented Program Coordinator and Curriculum Supervisor
● The Gifted & Talented Program Coordinator and Curriculum Supervisor will meet to review the child’s information to determine if further screening or consideration of the student is appropriate.
● The committee will issue a decision on the appeal and inform the parents/guardians of the outcome.