06.20.13
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The purpose of this page is to answer some of the questions that I am asked frequently from parents, teachers, and even students.  Let me know, using the contact form, of any questions not covered here that you are wondering about regarding Gifted and Talented Education or Cotter's GT Program in general.


Questions
1)  What is the definition of a Gifted and Talented child?
2)  How are students identified as Gifted and Talented?
3)  Now that my child has been identified as Gifted & Talented, how often will he/she participate in GT activities?
4)  What will my child do while in Gifted & Talented classes?
5)  Once identified, are students always in GT?
6)  When a student moves to a new school district, are they automatically in the GT program at the new school?
 
Answers
1)  Q What is the definition of a Gifted and Talented child?
A
The Arkansas Department of Education defines Gifted & Talented children and youth as "those of high potential or ability whose learning characteristics and educational needs require qualitatively differentiated educational experiences and/or services." In a nutshell, GT students are those who excel in the regular classroom and benefit greatly from time spent applying their abilities in new ways.
2)  Q How are students identified as Gifted and Talented?
A
There are several steps to the identification process:
1.  A student is nominated for entrance into the GT program by a teacher, parent, administrator, etc.
2.  The student is then tested using the K-BIT 2(IQ test that measures verbal and nonverbal skills).
3.  The nominated students then completes a creativity assessment.  This asks them to display their creative ability by drawing, coloring, and naming different pictures.
4.  Your student's teacher will be asked to fill out a checklist outlining behavior displayed in the classroom.
5.  Standardized test scores (Benchmark) and grades are compiled.
6.  The K-BIT 2 score, creativity assessment, teacher checklist, standardized test scores, and grades are all compiled.
7.  The completed file goes to the Gifted & Talented Identification Committee composed of administrators and teachers.  This committee considers each file individually and makes a decision on whether or not GT would be appropriate.
3)  Q Now that my child has been identified as Gifted & Talented, how often will he/she participate in GT activities?
A
Once your child is placed into the GT program, he/she will attend GT classes once a week for 150 minutes.  This time is in the morning of one school day per week.  Each grade has a designated day that this time is scheduled. Jr High and Sr High meet with the GT Coordinator once a month for 45 minutes unless student scheduling conflicts. Then, students meet with GT Coordinator when needed and remain in contact through Edmodo.
4)  Q What will my child do while in Gifted & Talented classes?
A
During GT classes, your child will participate in a variety of activites.  These activities will seek to challenge your child and allow them to use their abilities in a many ways.  Projects change each semester and usually have a final event to showcase student work.  During the year, students might also practice quiz bowl or take part in contests.  For detailed information on what your child is working on currently, please e-mail me using the contact form on this website.
5)  Q Once identified, are students always in GT?
A

Students identified as Gifted & Talented will not be retested each year.  They will remain in the GT program for as long as GT services continue to be the best educational environment for them.  In other words, every GT student's progress is continually monitored to verify that he/she excels in the regular classroom as well as in GT services.  If a student is consistently having problems maintaining both GT and regular school work, their placement will be evaluated by the Identification Committee.  The committee will determine whether placement in the Gifted & Talented program is still appropriate. 

6)  Q When a student moves to a new school district, are they automatically in the GT program at the new school?
A
No. When your child's records are transferred, it is noted in the files that he/she was involved in Gifted & Talented at Cotter. However, the GT Coordinator at the new school will need to request records directly from the GT program and will use that information to identify the child into their program through a committee placement decision. It is the parent's responsibility to let the new GT teacher know that their child was in Gifted & Talented previously.