Erin PuhlResource Teacher for the GiftedTuckahoe Elementary SchoolJanuary 28, 2014

Overview of Identification Process

Virginia Gifted Regulations

Virginia Department of Education regulations state that each school district must develop a plan to identify and provide services to those students who have learning needs beyond the regular instructional program.

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/gifted_ed/index.shtml

Arlington Public Schools

• Identify students who require gifted services• Train teachers in ways to provide services• Establish continuous educational services to

match the needs of gifted learners• Support differentiated instruction to meet the

needs of gifted students

Gifted Services Identification

• Specific Academic Aptitude (Grades K-12)• English Language Arts• Mathematics• Science• Social Studies

• Visual or Performing Arts (Grades 3-12)• Visual Art• Vocal Music• Instrumental Music (instruments taught in APS)

Screening for Gifted Services• Each year, the total population is screened by school staff

using formal and informal measures to create a pool of candidates based on students’ need for gifted services

• Formal Screening- Review of testing information• All grade 2 students take the Naglieri Non-Verbal Ability Test

(NNAT-2)• All grade 4 students take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)• All other referred students will receive an ability test if they are

not in grades 2 or 4

• Informal Screening- Teacher observations, parent information, honors, awards, competitions, etc.

Referrals for Gifted Services

• Students may be referred for an evaluation by:• Classroom teacher• School personnel• Parents/guardians• Community leaders• Other students

• Referrals can be made until April 1st of the current school year

• Referral forms can be found:• APS Homepage – Instruction – Programs - Eligibility• http://www.apsva.us/page/1846

Eligibility Criteria

• Specific Academic Areas• Nationally-Normed Testing Information:

• Ability testing – KBIT (K-1), NNAT 2 (grades 2-5)• Achievement testing (SOLs)

• Teacher Survey • School-based Data• Parent Information• Work Samples

Eligibility Criteria

• Visual Arts or Vocal/Instrumental Music Areas (Grades 3-12)• Art and Music/Instrumental Teacher Referral:

Observations of Artistic Behaviors• Student Products• Grades• Parent Information

Evaluation Committee

• Committee Members:• Mrs. Brown• Mr. Pascal• Ms. Puhl• Classroom Teacher• Other relevant staff members (counselor, reading

specialist, math coach, etc.)

Timeline

• February and March – ongoing screening, referrals accepted

• March and April – data collected for evaluations

• April 1st - Deadline for submitting referrals

• Early – Mid May – evaluation committee meets

• Mid - Late May – parents are notified of committee decision

Appeals Process

• An Appeal is available to families following the eligibility process:• Appeals begin at the school level with the

principal• A second level of appeal is with county-wide

Gifted Services Administrative Appeals Committee (must be submitted within 30 days of the school level committee decision)

Gifted Services Overview• Specific Academic Areas:

• Students identified as gifted will be clustered with other identified students

• Instruction will be delivered mainly through co-teaching in the general education classroom

• Whole class instruction, co-planned/co-taught with classroom teacher

• Small group instruction, enriching the general education curriculum• Individual or small group projects designed to enrich/compact the

general education curriculum

• Visual and Performing Arts:• Differentiation of content, performance, or assignments/projects

Contact Information Erin Puhl, Resource Teacher for the GiftedEmail: erin.puhl@apsva.usPhone: (703) 228-5288

Cynthia Brown, PrincipalEmail: cynthia.brown@apsva.us

Mitch Pascal, Assistant PrincipalEmail: mitch.pascal@apsva.us

Cheryl McCullough, Supervisor of Gifted ServicesEmail: cheryl.mccullough@apsva.usPhone: (703) 228-6160