Policy 6172 - Gifted and Talented Student Program

Gifted and talented student program

The Board of Education believes that all students deserve an education that challenges them to meet their fullest potential. The Board shall provide gifted and talented students in grades 4‐12 opportunities for learning commensurate with their particular abilities and talents. The superintendent or designee shall identify students for the district’s gifted and talented education (GATE) program on the basis of demonstrated or potential intellectual development, creative ability, consistently high achievement levels, academic ability in particular subject area (s), leadership ability, and/or performing and visual arts talent. The Superintendent or designee shall provide all eligible students, including economically disadvantaged students, English learners, and students of varying cultural backgrounds, with full opportunities to participate in the GATE program and shall provide services as necessary to help such students to succeed in the program. The district’s program shall be designed to provide articulated learning experiences across subjects and grade levels and shall be aligned with and extend the state academic content standards and curriculum frameworks.

Instructional Components

Gifted and talented programs may offer special day classes; part‐time grouping; and cluster grouping which shall be planned and organized as an integrated, differentiated learning experience within the regular school day. This program may be augmented or supplemented with other differentiated activities related to the core curriculum using such strategies as independent study, acceleration, postsecondary education, and enrichment.

GATE students may regularly participate, on a planned basis, in special counseling or instructional activity during or outside of the regular school day in order to benefit from additional education opportunities not provided in the regular classroom.

In addition, the district may provide specialized services designed to assist underachieving, linguistically diverse, culturally diverse, and/or economically disadvantaged GATE students to achieve at levels commensurate with their abilities.

The district’s GATE program shall include an academic component and, as appropriate, instruction in basic skills for each student.

The district’s program shall support the social and emotional development of GATE students in order to increase responsibility, self‐awareness, and social awareness and adjustment.

Staff development shall be provided to support teachers of GATE students in understanding the unique learning styles and abilities of these students and in developing appropriate instructional strategies.

Advisory Committee

The superintendent or designee shall appoint an advisory committee to support the needs of the GATE program and to assist in program planning, implementation, and evaluation. The committee shall include the district’s program coordinator, certificated staff, parents/guardians of GATE students, community members, and students as appropriate.