What does it mean to be gifted?
Gifted students are those who have higher than average cognitive potential. They are learners who easily process new information, have exceptional memories, are exceptionally creative, and/or have a natural ability for analysis and synthesis. Based on evidence collected during the Identification process, these students may need resources beyond the general classroom for their intellectual needs to be met.
How do I know if my child is gifted?
Prince William County has a process in place for the identification of students who require the services of the program. Students must be evaluated for Gifted Services and be found eligible in order to participate in seminars. If a student does not qualify for the program, it means his academic needs do not indicate that special services are required at the time of evaluation.
I think my child is gifted. How do I recommend him for the program?
Parents, teachers, administrators, peers, students, counselors, or the gifted education resource teacher may all make recommendations for the gifted program. A referral form is available below ("Step 1"). The student's parent or guardian must give permission in order for him to be screened for the program and the identification process to actually begin ("Step 2" below). The gifted resource teacher gathers information from multiple sources, administers necessary tests, and assembles the committee of professionals which determines if the student requires services.
I am having problems completing the parent or student report. What do I do?
Contact Mr. Bredbenner with any questions. This is your chance to highlight your child's achievements; specific examples of your child's actions help the committee understand your child and his capabilities. Blank copies of the Parent Report and Student Response are available below ("Step 3").
What
are
the
steps
in
the
identification
process?
The identification process may take up to sixty-five days and concludes at a county-level Identification and Placement Committee meetings. These committees occur near the beginning of each marking period and include gifted resource teachers, core classroom teachers, school counselors and administrators. Information in the following areas is considered…
· Aptitude test scores
-Naglieri Nonverbal Test of Abilities
-Cognitive Abilities Test
-Other available test scores
· Grades and grade level or criterion-referenced state tests
-Grades in math, science, English or foreign language, and social studies
-SOL test scores
· Normed achievement tests or student reports and portfolios
-PSAT (the National Representative Sample Percentiles for each area)
-Student Report (completed in school with gifted resource teacher)
-Student work samples (provided by student and teachers)
· Teacher and/or parent reports
-Teacher Report from core subject teachers
-Parent report completed by parent or guardian
First,
a
school-level
committee
compiles
and
evaluates
this
information.
Second,
a
county-level
committee,
composed
of
gifted
education
resource
teachers,
a
guidance
counselor,
classroom
teachers,
and
an
administrator,
reviews
the
information
Third,
the
committee
decides
if
the
student
currently
requires
gifted
services.
Finally,
the
parent
or
guardian
is
notified
by
letter
of
the
committee's
decision.
Decisions
may
be
appealed;
contact
Mr.
Bredbenner
for
more
information
on
the
appeals
process.
Students
who
are
found
eligible
for
gifted
resource
services
may
begin
attending
seminars
as
soon
as
they
have
returned
their
Program
Permission
form
("Step
4"
below).