Gifted and Talented Policy & Procedures

  • POLICY

    The Board of Education recognizes its responsibility to identify gifted and talented students within the school district and to provide these students with appropriate instructional adaptations and services.  To that end, the Board directs each such student in the school district be identified and offered an appropriate educational program and services.

     

    On January 13, 2020, Governor Murphy signed the “Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Act” codifying school district responsibilities in educating gifted and talented students as referenced in N.J.A.C. 6A:8-3.1.  

    A gifted and talented student is defined as a “student who possesses or demonstrates a high level of ability in one or more content areas when compared to their chronological peers in the school district and who require modifications of their educational program if they are to achieve in accordance with their capabilities.”

    Glassboro School District will use multiple measures to identify gifted and talented (GT) students for each school year. Multiple indicators and sources of evidence of student screening, assessments of varying kinds, gathered at multiple points in time will be used in the identification process.  This data will be computed using a matrix that will be analyzed to make further consideration and/or determination based on local norms. The focus of identification is to provide programming and services in which students' ​specific learning needs and potential are appropriately addressed and met. ​This process is done every school year to ensure the student obtains the services that best match their identified academic needs. GT students require modifications to the general education curriculum if they are to achieve in accordance with their abilities. ​By identifying a student’s general intellectual ability, creativity, or specific academic area aptitudes, we are acknowledging that they need programming and services outside the general education/grade level curriculum to advance their learning. The identification process shall include consideration of all students, including those who are English language learners and those with Individualized Education Plans or 504 Plans. 

     

    **Please note: GT is NOT a label.  Students must qualify for services each school year.**

    CRITERIA USED FOR CONSIDERATION FOR ELIGIBILITY BY GRADE LEVEL:

     

    Kindergarten

    Students qualify based on teacher recommendation. Reading levels, benchmark scores and report card grades are also taken into consideration.


    First and Second Grade

    Students qualify based on teacher recommendation, report card grades, reading level, benchmark scores, MAP results and data from the NNAT test.

     


    Third through 8th Grade

    Students qualify based on teacher recommendation, report card grades, reading level, portfolios, NNAT test, and grade level standardized tests (MAP) are also taken into consideration at various grade levels.  


    Twice Exceptional Students

    A twice-exceptional (2E) student is defined as “a student who is both gifted and a student with a disability. These students may also be referred to as having dual exceptionalities or as being gifted with learning disabilities (GT/LD). This also applies to students who are gifted with ADHD or gifted with autism” (New Jersey Association for Gifted Children, www.nagc.org). The coordinator will collaborate with the CST to determine eligibility. Students qualify in conjunction with the evaluation/s they received. 

     

    Parent/Guardian Requests

    Parents/Guardians can request their child be evaluated for the Gifted & Talented Program. Upon request, the Gifted & Talented Coordinator will evaluate the student and review the matrix data for consideration into the program.  Written requests can be emailed to acastro@gpsd.us.

    GT enrollment closes at the end of September for the school year.  Referrals received after all Enrollment Forms are accounted for will be considered for the following school year. 

     

    GT Program Eligibility Process Chart

    Home Referral

    A student is referred for consideration by parent/guardian.

    Reported Referral

    A student is referred for consideration by staff or faculty member.

     

    Automatic Referral

    A student who scores at a significant level on a grade level assessment, when compared to their peers.

     
     

     

    Referral Letter & Consent Form

    Paperwork is sent home which provides the district’s website information for parents/guardians to review and consider. Website includes program matrixes for eligibility and curriculum. This allows parents/guardians to make an informed decision on whether they want to proceed with testing at this time.

     

     

    Formal Evaluation

    Students who return a signed Consent Form are given the NNAT. Scores are plugged into the appropriate grade level matrix outlining the multiple measures used and reviewed by the Steering Committee to determine eligibility. 

     

     

     

     

    Eligibility Letter

    Student is provided with an Eligibility Letter that provides a copy of the matrix used by the Steering Committee to determine eligibility.

     

     

     

    COMPLAINT AND APPEAL PROCESS

    1. Please contact Dr. Aileen Matias-Castro, Gifted & Talented Coordinator at acastro@gpsd.us or at 856-652-2700, ext. 8132.
    2. If further action is needed, please contact Mrs. Brandi Sheridan, Supervisor of Curriculum & Instruction for Math & Science at bsheridan@gpsd.us or at 856-652-2700, ext. 6303.
    3. If an individual believes that Glassboro School District has not complied with the provisions of this act may file a complaint with the board of education by contacting Mr. Craig Stephenson, Chief Academic Officer at cstephenson@gpsd.us or at 856-652-2700 Ext. 6305.  
    4. As per state law, an individual may then file a petition of appeal of the board’s written decision to the Commissioner of Education through the Office of Controversies and Disputes in accordance with N.J.S.18A:6-9 and the procedures set forth in State Board of Education regulations.

     

    SOURCES: 

    National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC). (2021). https://www.nagc.org/  

    New Jersey Association for Gifted Children (NJAGC). (2021). https://www.njagc.org/  

    Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Act. (2020). (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-34 through N.J.S.A. 18A:35-39)