"Gifted and talented students need differentiated curriculum and instruction and support services in order to fully develop their cognitive, academic, creative, and artistic abilities or to excel in a specific content area, including opportunities to exceed grade level academic indicators and benchmarks." (Ohio Administrative Code 3301-51-15), March 2008.
It is the goal of our district to offer a continuum of gifted education services that provide appropriate challenges and supports for gifted and talented students. We ask you, the parents, and the community, to partner with us as we strive to provide learning opportunities for your children that will extend beyond the standard curriculum. If you would like to serve as a parent volunteer or if you work for a business that would be willing to contribute time, talent or financial support, please contact the Gifted Supervisor. As the United States continues to compete in a global economy that demands innovation, we hope to expand critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration, creativity, and innovation through our Global Gateways gifted education program.
Gifted Services Department:
Elementary Services:
Students in 2nd and 4th grade will begin the gifted screening and identification process in the spring of 2010. At the elementary level, the regular education teacher is responsible for the instruction of high ability and gifted students. Students who are identified as "superior cognitive" are served by "cluster grouping in the regular classroom." The Gifted Intervention Specialist (GIS) in collaboration with the regular classroom teacher are responsible for implementing the gifted instructional strategies on the student's written education plan and reporting to parents the child's progress toward the WEP goals. The curriculum is differentiated and delivered in a way that is appropriate for the students learning needs. The regular classroom teachers have ongoing support from the Gifted Supervisor and the Gifted Intervention Specialists. Regular classroom teachers and Gifted Interventions Specialists are encouraged to participate in high quality professional development. The PETS program (Primary Enrichment Thinking Skills) is offered to all 1st and 2nd grade students. Other gifted services opportunities may include Summer Enrichment Academy, Reading Olympics, Math Pentathlon, LEGO® Education WeDo™ Robotics and managing the Raider Supply Store. Some events are not offered every year.
Middle School Services:
Services may be provided through collaboration or team teaching between the general education teacher and the Gifted Intervention Specialists. In addition, students may be provided advanced or enriched instruction in large groups, small groups, and/or individually in a resource room (pull-out) setting. Several gifted students are placed (clustered) with a general education teacher who has the opportunity to receive professional development in differentiating instruction and works collaboratively with the GIS to meet the goals on the students' written education plan. Academic acceleration in language arts (8th) and math (5th-8th) is the focus at the middle school. Students have access to curriculum at a higher-than-typical grade or cognitive level. Students in 8th grade have the opportunity to take Advanced Communications, Algebra, and a world language for high school credit. Other gifted services opportunities may include but are not limited to: Summer Enrichment Academy, Ohio Model United Nations (6th - 8th), Math Pentathlon (5th - 8th), MathCounts (7th - 8th), Future City Building (7th - 8th), First Lego League (5th - 8th), National Robotics Challenge, Women in Science Day through OSU, GEMS, Camp Med, PSAT preparation, and ACT/SAT preparation through Midwest Academic Talent Search. Some events are not offered every year.
High School Services:
At the high school level, students are encouraged to concentrate on the rigorous curriculum available through Advanced Placement, Dual-Enrollment, and Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO). Currently, the district offers AP U.S. Government, AP Literature & Language, AP European History, and AP Statistics. Through the University of Findlay, Urbana University and Wright State University Lake Campus students can earn both high school and college credit for Calculus, Japanese, Chemistry, Advanced Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Sociology, Psychology, and English. The Gifted Supervisor is responsible for supervising and evaluating educational options for gifted students, which may include advanced placement, dual-enrollment, mentorships, special seminars, independent studies, interdisciplinary curricular experiences, internships, career explorations, and distance learning. Academic extra-curricular options offered at the high school may include National Honor Society and Hispanic Honor Society, Ohio Model United Nations, Drama, Science Fair, JETS, FIRST Robotics, Chess Club, High-Q Quiz Bowl, Mock Trial, Martin Essex School for the Gifted, Summer Institutes for the Gifted, and Ohio Northern University's Math Shoot-Out & Math Awareness Day. Some events are not offered every year.
