Talent Development – What does it look like at the elementary and secondary levels?

Why? Why do we provide for Talent Development opportunities in Cobb County? 1. Meet the needs of high-achieving/highly- able students who have not qualified for gifted services 2. Serves as a method to develop cognitive, academic, and creative thinking skills.

Who are highly able students? Students who do not qualify for gifted services but have excellent scores on:  Iowa – total reading, math or composite  CogAT – verbal, quantitative, and/or composite  Milestones  Other data as identified at school

Talent Development At the elementary school level

What? What is Talent Development at the elementary school ?  A service model to build and develop cognitive, academic, and/or creative talent  Activities either complement instruction in the core content areas or develop and extend skills which may be applied in core content areas Elementary School

How? How are Talent Development services determined?  Selected from recommended models provided by ALP Department  Guided by the school goals and administrative focus (may or may not exist at every school)  Determined via conversation with school administration  Varies by grade levels involved and number of students participating  Looks different at elementary, middle and high schools Elementary School

Who? Who is involved?  Target teachers (gifted) without a full caseload of gifted identified students  Has an available day or class period when not meeting with gifted students  Students and/or grade levels identified by data and/or teachers Elementary School

How? How is Talent Development provided?  Collaboration with a group or individual for differentiation strategies  Direct Instruction  Small group pull-out  Labs -Problem solving/STEM/Writing  Kindergarten classes  Advanced Content classes - open to rubric-identified high achievers in Reading, ELA and Mathematics  4 th grade –  5 th grade – Elementary School

Student selection based on determined need  Academic extension  Problem solving  Creativity development  Logical reasoning Resources include  Hands on Equations (algebraic thinking)  PETS (Primary Education Thinking Skills series)  Other selected materials

When and Where? When and where does Talent Development take place?  Mostly in fall semester; some schools continue in spring  Whole class and/or small groups  Both ‘push-in’ and ‘pull-out’ models are appropriate, depending on the focus, purpose, and number of students involved Elementary School

Talent Development At the middle or high school level The term “Talent Development” is rarely used, but the concept exists in practice.

What? Middle school  Advanced Content classes are open to school-identified high achievers  Includes high school credit classes offered at MS campus  Provides opportunities develop cognitive, academic, and/or creative talent  Academic Habits course (optional available elective)  Curriculum concentrates on developing the skills needed to be successful with the expectations and levels of rigor experienced in advanced level classes

What? High school High Achieving students who meet the identified criteria may participate in  Honors courses  Advanced Placement Courses – AP test score may qualify for college credit  Magnet Schools – based on achievement and interest  Move on When Ready (MOWR)- completing college coursework for high school and college credit

Additional opportunities available Cobb County High School Course curriculum is available for: Quest for Success  For students who have potential to take honors and Advanced Placement classes in high school. The Talent Development class will concentrate on developing the skills needed to be successful and expose students to the expectations and levels of rigor they will experience in these advanced level classes. These skills include higher order thinking, critical reading, note taking, organization, study skills, research skills problems solving and goal setting. Students should be self-motivated and open to trying new ideas. Tools for Academic Success ( concurrent enrollment in an AP class required ):  This course is designed to support students concurrently enrolled in AP courses. The course emphasizes advanced note-taking, writing, organization strategies, study techniques, collaborative learning, and problem-solving. Course expectations are consistent with those of an AP class; research, writing, and problem-solving experiences are intended to support success in an AP class and on the AP exam.

Summary Cobb County provides Talent Development opportunities in all levels for highly able students who may not have qualified for gifted services. Services look different at different levels and different schools, but the purposes remain the same:  To develop cognitive, academic, and/or creative talent.  To develop the skills needed to be successful with the expectations and levels of rigor experienced in advanced level classes.  To open doors to opportunities inside and outside of the classroom.

Talent Development in Cobb County Schools Refer to the Module for your assignment