Center for Gifted Education

1. Center for Gifted Education Terry Gaines Jake Giessman Co-Directors

2. Vision • The vision of the gifted program is to meet the special, unique needs of each child in the gifted program while serving as an advocate and model teacher of the gifted.

3. Mission • The gifted program strives to provide an Extended Education Experience to identified gifted students throughout the district. • To be an exemplary program that meets the academic and socio-emotional needs of each student in the program and beyond.

4. Goals • The students are challenged by a rigorous, academic curriculum in a positive and supportive learning environment. • The EEE program is an advocate for gifted children throughout our community. • The students are identified with appropriate instruments by their mental capacity, learning potential and affective needs.

5. Outlook • Beginning in the fall of 2011, the Center for Gifted Education at Field School will serve identified gifted students in Grades 1 – 5 in a once-weekly pull-out program similar to the 3 – 5 programming currently offered.

6. Meeting the goals • 2010-2011 is a transition year! • All kindergarten children will be served in their regular classrooms by our staff of gifted educators. The enrichment model will give more students an opportunity to benefit services as the EEE teachers conduct creativity lessons in every kindergarten classroom.

7. All kindergarten students will be screened for further testing in the spring of their kindergarten year. Those students who show a need for further testing will be tested in the fall of their first grade year. Those students who are identified will begin gifted services during the second semester of their first grade year with parental permission.

8. During the transition year (2010-2011) we will continue to serve 1st and 2nd grade children who are currently part of the primary program. • The identified primary students will be served in a pullout model in their home schools. • These students will automatically be tested for the EEE program during this year after parental permission is granted.

9. Screening • Current 1st and 2nd graders who are not in the primary program will screened for further testing and a need for gifted services. The screening instrument is a nonverbal test administered by the classroom teacher. • The screening will take place from October – December of the fall of 2010. • Should the child show a need for further testing, parent permission will be requested and the child will be tested. This testing will be administered by the school psychologist.

10. However… • No scores will be disclosed until the end May of 2011. • Those students who are identified will be informed at the end of the school year, 2011. • The identified 1st and 2nd graders will enter the EEE program in the fall of 2011 as 2nd and 3rd graders.

11. Grades 1 and 2 (2011) • The curriculum for these grades will be appropriately designed to meet the unique needs of younger children. • The curriculum will include appropriate math and reading for these students. • Parents should use their discretion regarding when their children receive gifted services.

12. Finally… • Once a child qualifies for gifted services, the child will not be retested.