Kindergarten- Grade 3

Grades 4-5

Grades 6-12

How has the elementary G&T program evolved?

Why did we evaluate the program?

How did the evaluation lead to changes?

Appointed as Director in February, 2012, Diane Pandolfi was asked to assess the efficacy of the newly implemented G.A.T.E.S Program.

After meeting with the 3 elementary enrichment specialists, it was agreed that the identification criteria required revision.

Outside expert in the field of G&T education was contracted to complete a comprehensive 360 evaluation.

Windows

W.I.S.E

G.A.T.E.S then

G.A.T.E.S now

• The Strategic Planning Committee established a plan in response to a desire expressed by the community to have a G&T program in each elementary school.

• The W.I.S.E. program was launched to provide enrichment services in all 9 elementary schools in 2008.

• The G.A.T.E.S. Program was started in 2010. Students were identified to participate in Math and/or Language Arts.

• The windows program was phased out in 2010-2011.

• A stakeholders committee was established in the summer of 2010 to evaluate the efficacy of the new G.A.T.E.S program

Susan Paynter’s Assessment

Noteworthy Program Attributes

Recommendations for Program Improvement

In 2012, a comprehensive evaluation of the GATES program was conducted by Dr. Susan Paynter, an authority on evaluating gifted programs.

Noteworthy attributes included a pullout program for highly gifted with an opportunity for enrichment for all students; the use of a identification matrix of multiple measures; separation of Math and LA; yearly student review; and professional support by GATES teachers to cultivate a rich, resourceful learning community.

Program recommendations included returning the cognitive test to the identification process to better equalize the weight between aptitude and performance; return to a more comprehensive teacher feedback of creativity, leadership & task commitment; re-integration of the student profile of learning styles & interests; as well as the re-introduction of the IQ project which incorporates interest-based study with a comprehensive student planning component.

Identification Criteria for Grades 4&5 pullout

Opportunity for Language Arts and/or Math

Annual Requalification

Project-Based Learning

K-5 Support

Criteria includes scores from NJ ASK in Language Arts and/or Math, the Gifted & Talented Aptitude Test in Math and/or Language Arts , the InView Cognitive Skills Test and Teacher Identification Checklist

Students who qualify, meet weekly in their identified area

Fourth grade students must re-qualify for Fifth Grade G.A.T.E.S., “which correctly addresses the importance of task commitment, holding students to a higher standard while also recognizing that some students plateau while others emerge gifted at different developmental points”

Students respond to Interest Inventories , which then lead to Project-Based Learning Activities that are aligned to the Common Core State Standards

Enrichment Specialists provide support to K-5 Classroom teachers, via resources, SchoolFusion,, and staff development

Social Studies

Language Arts

Math

Science

Social Studies and Language Arts G&T embedded in regular education curriculum

Math & Science curriculum is specific to G&T students

6th Gifted & Talented

7th Unified Math I (Gifted and Talented)

8th Unified Math II (Gifted and Talented)

9th Unified Math III (Honors)

10th Unified Math IV (Honors)

11th AP Calculus AB

12th AP Calculus BC

Regular Education Sequence 6th Math 6 7th Math 7 8th Math 8 9th Algebra 10th Geometry 11th Algebra II 12th Pre-calculus

6th Physical Science (Gifted & Talented)

7th Earth Science (Gifted & Talented)

8th Biology

9th Chemistry (College Prep)

10th Physics (College Prep)

11th AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics

12th AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics

Regular Education Sequence 6th Physical Science 7th Life Science 8th Earth Science 9th Biology 10th Chemistry 11th Physics 12th 11th AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics

Grade 8 World Language Program

Latin

Spanish

French

Italian

Algebra 1

Band

Chorus

Windows Art

Students who qualify are able to participate in a full year World Language and/or Algebra class in Grade 8. Windows Art is available to students In Grades 6-8 who qualify through a portfolio review. Band and Chorus are available to all who show an interest.

Moving Forward...........

Changes, Growth,

Looking at Extremes