Giftedness: What Does It Look Like?

Definitions Marland Definition – 1972 Javits Definition – 1988 Current US Definition PSRC Definition Common Characteristics: Outstanding Abilities High Performance Creative/Productive Thinking Leadership Ability Visual/Performing Arts Need Services not ordinarily provided by the schools in order to develop capacity and self-efficacy

How Do We Find/Identify Giftedness? Characteristics Unusually large vocabulary for age Ability to read earlier than most children Greater comprehension of the subtleties of language Ability to learn basic skills more quickly and with less practice Wide range of interests Highly developed curiosity and a limitless supply of questions Interest in experimenting and doing things differently Tendency to put ideas or things together in ways that are unusual Ability to retain a great deal of information Unusual sense of humor

How does one behave in varied environments/situations? Home School World

How do these gifted behaviors affect the personality/demeanor? Is a child quiet, demure, subtle in self- presentation? OR Is a child aggressive, boisterous, more attention-getting, noticeable in self- presentation? OR Is the child somewhere in between?

Total Child School Performance: Grades and Tests (including aptitude and achievement) Ability Interest Motivation Teacher, parent, and/or self-perception

Identification = Multiple Indicators

Placement 3-8 Criteria: Must achieve 5 out of 6 of the following indicators with one of the 5 from achievement or aptitude: Achievement: Standardized achievement test score at 90%ile or above. Aptitude: Aptitude/IQ at 85%ile or above measured by standardized test. Motivation: A minimum rating of Very High (at least 90%) on Parent Scale, Teacher Scale, and/or Self-evaluation Scale. Performance: Proficiency in academic subjects (A average) Interest: Evidence of projects or work samples well above grade level expectation, high student self-rating, a broad range of extra-curricular activities, and/or high teacher rating in motivation. Observation: A minimum rating of High (at least 90%) on the Gifted Behavior Scale (total or any sub-section total) completed by one or more teachers; other scales may be completed as needed.

Placement High School Criteria for consideration upon transition from middle to high school and at high school placement: A / B average in subject area, based on identification 90%ile on EOG or EOC, or other achievement test Aptitude test as evidence of ability level 3.5 GPA average AIG Teacher recommendation High level of student interest and motivation (as evidenced by work samples/projects and teacher rating scales and previous class/subject performance) High level of student self-interest as measured through student motivation/interest scales

Services Service Delivery WHERE? Cross-Age Grouping Cross-Grade Grouping Cluster grouping within class Accelerated Class (subject) Resource Room Resource Support Honors & AP Courses Concurrent/Dual Enrollment Early Admission Early Graduation Early College High School Content Modifications HOW? Concept-based Learning Units Tiered Assignments Learning Centers Curriculum Compacting Leadership Skills Public Speaking & Presentation Skills Contracts Independent Study Advanced Content Meaningful Field Trips

AIG Staff 14.2 teachers, licensed in gifted education, serve 1,947 students across 43 schools. Coordinator directs program and staff. ½ time secretary handles documentation and data related to AIG.

Extended Opportunities Summer Programs JGB Seminars Studio I Program TIP Program Off-grade Level Testing through TIP Testing through TIP Curriculum Fair Quiz Bowl Battle of the Books Hands-on Equations Reflections Studio I Performances Field Trips across Schools Fine Arts Activities Scholarship Preparation/Career Advisement

Program Support Collaboration with other programs Collaboration with curriculum department Collaboration with regular education… you!

QUOTE TO REMEMBER Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation. -- John F. Kennedy