Gifted Education Program

MVE Gifted & Talented Education Coordinator


Academics - Gifted Education Program


Gifted Education Program

What is Gifted Education? If a student is identified as Gifted, they may go to their neighborhood school (Mountain View) or apply for the Discovery Program that is located at another school. The Discovery Program is designed for students whose needs require intensity of instruction and acceleration beyond what can reasonably be expected from the regular school program. All students in Douglas County are given the CogAT, Cognitive Abilities Test, in 2nd & 5th grade (unless the school has 6th grade) as a universal screen for early intervention. If there is a need for a student to take the CogAT in another grade due to teacher recommendation or parent request, that is possible at grades K, 1, 3, & 4. Testing at these levels is solely for the purpose of possible Gifted identification.

What is an ALP?

An ALP is an Advanced Learning Plan. All students that are identified as Gifted have an ALP whether they go to their neighborhood school (Mountain View) or a Discovery School. The decision to create an ALP comes from an identification process that looks at a body of evidence that includes many data points, such as the CogAT, classroom work/assessments, other standardized measures, input from classroom teacher, parent(s), and student.

What does Gifted programming look like at Mountain View?

At Mountain View, we create ALP plans for students that have gone through a gifted identification process and qualify.  The ALP is written with the Gifted Education Facilitator (Kate Bufton) in collaboration with classroom teachers, students and parents.  The ALP formalizes the differentiation that the classroom teacher does for the students in their identified area(s) as well as affective needs. 

At Mountain View, we value and support the depth and complexity of knowledge, not just what grade level a concept may be. Gifted students are put into cluster groups with other gifted students for peer connections. All students in our building read and write at their highest independent level. Sometimes additional grouping is needed in the area of mathematics. Some strategies that we use to meet needs at our building are: Flexible Grouping in reading and math, Content Acceleration, and Independent Study.  Together the Gifted Education Coordinator, classroom teacher, student, and parent(s) meet to collaboratively develop goals and skills to work on each year.

What will this look like at Northeast Elementary School?

Northeast also follows the similar programming as Mountain View. Gifted students are put into Cluster Groups with other gifted students for peer connections. Each grade level has a classroom/classrooms in which students are clustered. Gifted students also meet with the Gifted Education Facilitator to develop goals and skills to work on in the classroom.

What will this look like at Sagewood Middle School?

Sagewood has many options for different levels of learning. Teachers will recommend based on their knowledge of the student and the choices that are offered. Parent and student input is taken as well.

What is the role of the Gifted Education Coordinator?

The role of the Gifted Education Coordinator is to coordinate the identification process as well as support in writing the ALP. If a parent is interested in applying for the Discovery Program, the coordinator can help with that process as well. The coordinator also collaborates with teachers in writing the goals, gathering support materials, analyzing data and adjusting plans as needed.

Resources


GIFTED CHILDREN'S BILL OF RIGHTS:

 

You have a right to

  • know about your giftedness.

  • learn something new everyday.

  • be passionate about your talent area without apologies.

  • have an identity beyond your talent area.

  • feel good about your accomplishments.

  • make mistakes.

  • seek guidance in the development of your talent.

  • have multiple peer groups and a variety of friends.

  • choose which of your talent areas you wish to pursue.

  • not to be gifted at everything.

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In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, the Douglas County School District RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. The School District's Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator to address complaints alleging sexual harassment under Title IX is Aaron Henderson, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, [email protected], 303-387-0127.

Outside Agencies

Complaints regarding violations of Title VI, (race, national origin), Title IX (sex, gender), Section 504/ADA (handicap or disability), may be filed directly with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204. Complaints regarding violations of Title VII (employment) and the ADEA (prohibiting age discrimination in employment) may be filed directly with the Federal Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 303 E. 17th Ave., Suite 510, Denver, CO 80202, or the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1050, Denver, CO 80202.

NOTICE OF DESTRUCTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS

Special Education records which have been collected by Douglas County School District related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of special education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for the period of five (5) years after special education services have ended for the student. Special education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, or completes his/her educational program at age 21, or moves from the district. This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Douglas County School District's intent to destroy the special education records of students who exited special education services as of June 30, 2016. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise. After five years, the records are no longer useful to the district, but may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for social security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request a copy of the records by requesting the records at this link ( Douglas County School District Transcripts and Records Requests ).