How are
children referred to the Gifted Program?
Often children are referred automatically as a result of a mental ability
screening or a school-wide achievement test administered to an entire class
or grade level.
Children may also be referred by teachers, counselors, parents, or
administrators. Referral is initiated by completing the Observation Form
which requests anecdotal evidence of recognized gifted behavior and evidence
of gifted work. No child will be tested on a personal recommendation until
the Observation Form is completed and the Assessment Committee confirms a
reasonable expectation of success from screening. To refer a child for
screening, please contact the teacher of the gifted, the classroom teacher,
or the school counselor in your child’s school.
Three testing windows are established for each academic year. Assessment is
scheduled within those windows. Testing dates are available at FCBOE.org
under “School Information.”
When
a child is referred for assessment, parents are notified in writing.
Under
State guidelines, test scores are valid for two years. Retesting, should
that be necessary, will occur only every other academic year.
What does the Gifted Program Model look like in Fayette County?
In
grades K-5, gifted students follow a resource model in which they are
scheduled into classes for the gifted once a week for an entire day, twice a
week for a full morning and full afternoon, or daily for a 45-55 minute
segment. When not receiving gifted services, they work with their regular
class.
In
grades 6-12, gifted students study in specific academic areas of interest
and expertise.
All
gifted classes are taught by teachers who are specialists in their field and
have earned an additional certification endorsement.
What kind of things will my child learn in the Gifted Program?
At
the K-5 level, the Gifted Program is an interdisciplinary exploration built
on significant thematic issues and the investigation of complex questions.
Activities which require critical thinking, and the development of advanced
research and communication skills are infused into all studies.
The
secondary program for grades 6-12 offers content area classes which are both
qualitatively and quantitatively different from those in the regular
curriculum. These classes require extension of exploration and applied
critical thinking skills. In some cases summer reading is also a required
part of the program.
What if the Gifted Program proves to be unsuitable for my child?
Withdrawal
from the program is a simple matter and can be initiated by parents.
Contact your student’s teacher or school counselor to withdraw your student
from the program.
Students
may re-enter the program at the beginning of any semester without
re-evaluation if they have previously qualified for services and meet
performance requirements of the continuation policy at the time of the
re-entry request. Re-entry occurs only at the beginning of a
semester.
What is the duration of my child's placement in the program?
As long
as performance requirements are met, you and your child will determine
whether to continue participation.
What
are the
criteria for remaining a student in good standing within the Gifted Program?
A
student’s performance in regular and gifted classes is reviewed at the end
of each semester, earlier if difficulties in either regular or gifted
classes become evident. To remain active in the Gifted Program, a student
must exhibit satisfactory performance in both regular and Gifted classes.
Such
performance is judged by a student’s willingness to participate, the
student’s attitude toward the class and its tasks and fellow students, and
the degree to which the student completes assignments with an obvious
quality of effort.
Satisfactory performance in the regular education program is defined as the
maintenance of a “B” (> 80) average.
Satisfactory performance in gifted classes also requires an average of “B”
or better in each gifted class.
Students failing to meet continuation criteria are placed on probation.
While on probation, students are permitted to remain in the Gifted Program.
They are given one full semester to meet the continuation criteria or be
withdrawn from the program. (Summer school attendance will not serve to
clear probationary status.) Parents are notified in writing of the results
of the continuation review and prior to withdrawal, should that be necessary. |
