Gifted at WCASD
Gifted Identification
Screening
Students may be identified as gifted at any point in their time in WCASD schools. Both parents and teachers have the ability to start the gifted identification process. The first phase of the process includes data collection, teacher checklists, observations, and student participation in one or more thinking skills lessons within the classroom. The child study team then reviews the information gathered and makes a recommendation as to whether or not the child should move on for further testing with our psychologist.
Ideally, a conversation about whether or not the gifted screening process might be right for your child begins with yourself and the classroom teacher; however, requests for more information and/or screening be made to any staff member at Glen Acres or Mary C. Howse.
Identification/Services
If a child is identified as gifted, a Gifted Individualized Education Program (GIEP) is designed by the school team and the parents to meet the child's individual needs. These needs can be met in a variety of ways – through the classroom teacher, gifted teacher, or other staff working with the child. Students who are identified as gifted and in need of enrichment may receive 90 minutes of enrichment instruction with the gifted teacher per week. During this time, the gifted resource teacher works with the children to develop projects of interest that advance research skills, creativity, higher order thinking skills, and content knowledge. The enrichment teacher at Glen Acres is Mrs. Cinnamond. The enrichment teacher at Mary C. Howse is Mrs. Selke.
In addition, there are some students who are eligible for additional reading or math instruction with the gifted resource teacher, depending on need. Mrs. Ottinger works with these students for a designated amount of time each week to accelerate them in math or to read/analyze text at a higher level. Either gifted resource teacher (Mrs. Ottinger or the enrichment teacher) provides resources to classroom teachers for students who may need extensions in reading and/or math.
Screening
Students may be identified as gifted at any point in their time in WCASD schools. Both parents and teachers have the ability to start the gifted identification process. The first phase of the process includes data collection, teacher checklists, observations, and student participation in one or more thinking skills lessons within the classroom. The child study team then reviews the information gathered and makes a recommendation as to whether or not the child should move on for further testing with our psychologist.
Ideally, a conversation about whether or not the gifted screening process might be right for your child begins with yourself and the classroom teacher; however, requests for more information and/or screening be made to any staff member at Glen Acres or Mary C. Howse.
Identification/Services
If a child is identified as gifted, a Gifted Individualized Education Program (GIEP) is designed by the school team and the parents to meet the child's individual needs. These needs can be met in a variety of ways – through the classroom teacher, gifted teacher, or other staff working with the child. Students who are identified as gifted and in need of enrichment may receive 90 minutes of enrichment instruction with the gifted teacher per week. During this time, the gifted resource teacher works with the children to develop projects of interest that advance research skills, creativity, higher order thinking skills, and content knowledge. The enrichment teacher at Glen Acres is Mrs. Cinnamond. The enrichment teacher at Mary C. Howse is Mrs. Selke.
In addition, there are some students who are eligible for additional reading or math instruction with the gifted resource teacher, depending on need. Mrs. Ottinger works with these students for a designated amount of time each week to accelerate them in math or to read/analyze text at a higher level. Either gifted resource teacher (Mrs. Ottinger or the enrichment teacher) provides resources to classroom teachers for students who may need extensions in reading and/or math.
High Achiever or Gifted?
If your child does well in school, gets good grades, and seems to learn with ease, you might be wondering if he or she is gifted. Take a look below at the comparison chart which highlights the different attributes of gifted learners versus high achieving students.
If your child does well in school, gets good grades, and seems to learn with ease, you might be wondering if he or she is gifted. Take a look below at the comparison chart which highlights the different attributes of gifted learners versus high achieving students.
In addition, I've included a resource for common characteristics of very young gifted learners.