Gifted and Talented Program
Gifted and Talented Education {GATE}
What do you mean by 'gifted and talented'?
Students who possess talents and abilities that can be demonstrated through testing or obvious potential.
~ Characteristics of Gifted and Talented Learners
- Intellectual abilities and academic skills; enjoys learning, great memory, unique ability to remain focus, high level of language development, advanced comprehension, skilled problem solvers, and much more!
- Social and emotional needs; high developed emotional depth, sense of humor, sense of justice.
- Behavior patterns; class leaders, some have ADHD behavior patterns, and downplaying intelligence.
~ Labeled as Gifted and Talented Under Two Factors; Testing & Potential
Formal Testing
Assessment supported by data
- Off- level testing; assessment instruments used for older students to evaluate academic ability
- Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Achievement
- Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) for middle schoolers
Informal Testing
Assessment based on performance... NOT data driven
- Portfolios of work performance
- Anecdotal records
- Evaluation by experts
- Checklist/ rating scales on characteristics
- Jot-down form
Potential
Besides testing, the student can be considered gifted or talented based on their potential.
~ Services
- Least Restrictive Environment; FULL INCLUSION in which GATE students are in a general education classroom all day
- Special Schools; in which instruction focusses on a certain theme such as science or a performing art (ex. magnet schools)
~ Accommodations
- Curriculum compacting; instructor assesses student's achievement and eliminates learning material that is already met by the student.
- Acceleration; early entrance, subject advancement (ex. AP classes), skipping a grade level.
- Enrichment; competitions, problem-solving programs, in-depth study, project-based learning
- Differentiation; tiered assignments
- Grouping; homogenous groups, cluster grouping, magnet schools
- Specialized interventions; integrating technology in the classroom as a resource tool or assessing tool.