MISSION

The mission of the Bridgeton Public Schools Gifted & Talented department is to promote excellence in an environment that engages students in meaningful learning experiences. In partnership with students, dedicated staff, families, and community, the district strives to provide a strong educational foundation that will empower our students to:

• Achieve their unique potential

  • Embrace a positive attitude toward self-directed, life-long learning

• • Develop the skills necessary for appropriate risk-taking and responsible decision-making

• • Respect themselves and others; work collaboratively

• • Use self, peer, and teacher feedback positively as a means for growth

• • Set goals and devise plans to reach them and adhere to task completion

• Become contributing members of a diverse, global society

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR GIFTED CHILDREN (NAGC) DEFINITION

Students with gifts and talents perform—or have the capability to perform—at higher levels compared to others of the same age, experience, and environment in one or more domains. They require modification(s) to their educational experience(s) to learn and realize their potential. Student with gifts and talents:

• Come from all racial, ethnic, and cultural populations, as well as all economic backgrounds.

• • Require sufficient access to appropriate learning opportunities to realize their potential.

• • Can have learning and processing disorders that require specialized intervention and accommodation.

• Need support and guidance to develop socially and emotionally as well as in their areas of talent.

NEW JERSEY STATE DEFINITION OF GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENT

Gifted and talented students are those who by virtue of outstanding abilities are capable of high performance and are identified by qualified teachers. These are students who require differentiated educational programs and/or services beyond those normally provided by the regular school program in order to realize their contribution to self and society.

IDENTIFICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

The gifted identification process is undertaken each year and involves evaluating data for students already receiving gifted education services and those who have not yet received services. As the Gifted & Talented Website notes, we use multiple measures, such as a universal screener, teacher referrals, gifted behavior checklists, standardized tests, and student performance within their normal coursework. Parents may also complete an input packet on behalf of their child that will be examined by the gifted education committee.  

Timeline for Identification and Events  

Phase 2 ~ Screening (May-August)

After being identified via the results of the screener assessment, more information will be collected for each identified student. Information requested may include attendance, teacher input, student work samples, and various assessments (NJSLA, LinkIt! Benchmarks, Achieve3000).

Phase 3 ~ Placement (September-October)

The Gifted and Talented selection committee will review the multiple measures collected for each student and decide about gifted services. Parents/guardians will be notified by way of letter of their child’s identification for gifted services. The letter will outline the details including scheduling and responsibilities of the student candidate.  The parent/guardian must sign a permission slip for their child to receive services. 

Students transferring into the district who were eligible for or were receiving Gifted and Talented services in their previous district, will be considered for services upon entry into the Bridgeton Public Schools. The Gifted and Talented supervisor and committee will review the documentation of the student’s services from their previous district.  Parents/guardians will be notified and required to sign a permission slip, as outlined in the above paragraph.

Appeals: 

Any parent/ guardian/ student wishing to appeal the decision of the student’s need of services, may submit an appeal letter within one week of the beginning of the marking period for which services will be given. Formal written appeals must be sent to the Supervisor of Gifted and Talented and must include: student name, school, grade, teacher, parent/guardian(s) name, email address, address, telephone number, and detailed rationale and specific reasons the parent/guardian is appealing.

Continuum of Services

 Grades K-2: (Enrichment)
All students in grades kindergarten through second grade receive push in services from the gifted and talented teacher.  This may include whole class lessons or workstations that are designed for all students and focus on problem solving and critical thinking skills.

Grades 3 - 8: 
In grades 3-8, students who qualify for gifted and talented services are pulled for small group instruction (40 minutes 1xs per week). The gifted and talented teacher will conduct small group lessons that are focused on your child’s needs.

Student will receive services for the area in which they are gifted as shown below:

• Marking Period 1 & 4: Non-verbal

• Marking Period 2: Verbal

• Marking Period 3: Quantitative

Grade 8: (Course Acceleration)
In grade 8, the district offers accelerated courses in the area of mathematics. All students in grade 7 will receive a placement test at the end of the year to identify if this service is needed.

Grades 9-12: (Course Acceleration)
In grades 9-12, the district offers honors level and Advanced Placement (AP) courses in various areas of student interest.

Gifted & Talented Exit Criteria

No selection procedure is infallible, and it may happen that a student selected for Gifted and Talented services does not experience success or does not benefit constructively from his/her participation. Some indicators that discontinuing services may be the best option for a student may include, but are not limited to:

The gifted and talented teacher, the classroom teacher or the parent/guardian may initiate exit procedures. The gifted and talented teacher, the classroom teacher(s), the school counselor, supervisor, and the principal may meet to consider the recommendation and, if necessary, to seek and review additional information from other staff members and /or the child’s parents/guardians.  A decision will be made whether the child will continue with services; take a leave of absence with the option of re-entry; or permanently exit services.

Gifted & Talented Re-evaluation

All students will be re-evaluated during the spring of their 5th grade year for services during 6th , 7th, and 8th grades.  Students that received services in the previous year(s) are not guaranteed services following re-evaluation. This re-evaluation is based on extensive research which indicates the strong possibility of cognitive changes in students at the 2nd/3rd grade level and at the 5th/6th grade level.

Questions

If a parent has any questions or concerns about the Gifted & Talented, please reach out to your child’s G&T teacher or the G&T Supervisor.

G&T Supervisor

Mandy Natalie

[email protected]

856.455.8030 x1941

G&T Teachers