what grade does gifted and talented program start? archived

We don't have one, relying instead on differentiated education in the classroom to give every child the elementary education he/she needs. (NJ has very lax G&T laws, so this seems to be in compliance) We've debated this at some length in the thread on de-levelling.

Nothing exists here like the amazing programs that my nephew in Ohio is offered in his public schools.

MSO does have an Enrichment pullout program, offering one hour per week each of math and language arts enrichment to 4th and 5th grade children who qualify based on grades and test scores the previous year. I don't have the specifics at hand, but I believe that they pull out the top 25% or more of the children. Nice program, but probably not what you mean when you ask about gifted and talented programs (and who knows if it will survive the next round of budget cuts...)

yes, that is what I was referring to. Any other info?

Details on the Enrichment program were sent home sometime in 3rd grade. There were specific cut-offs based on NJASK scores, or NJASK scores in combination with report card information. Not sure if the details are on the district website, but they might be.

"Not sure if the details are on the district website, but they might be."

Considering the way principals and teachers like to keep any info about the pullout Enrichment program on the down low, I highly doubt they would put any info on the district website.

laur-- if you are interested... there is a gifted and talented program for kids in grades k-12 at montclair state (on weekends).

For what it is worth, there are a few different perceptions and realities regarding "gifted and talented" students:

* Technically, gifted and talented students fall under the "special education" component of most school districts. Accordingly, you can request (and likely insist) that your child be assessed by a Child Study Team (CST) for possible implementation of an Individualized Education Program (IEP). This is quite rare in most instances as most districts are not equipped to deal with advanced students with their existing special education structure. Regardless, if your child is indeed "gifted and talented" (and the definition of these terms is somewhat vague in education circles) -- an IEP can provide opportunities that can make a significant impact in their academic progression.

* New Jersey does have some guidelines for gifted and talented through N.J.A.C. 6A:8. A full account of this can be found at the NJ DOE website.

* I am aware that the Gifted and Talented program at Montclair State may be going through a transition as a new director and assistant director are being hired/recruited. It would be interesting to see how this program will be modified.

Sorry for the "edu-speak", but it is hard to avoid the jargon within the education field

Posted By: xavier67"Not sure if the details are on the district website, but they might be."

Considering the way principals and teachers like to keep any info about the pullout Enrichment program on the down low, I highly doubt they would put any info on the district website.

Huh? There is a very specific points system for the enrichment program which are sent to all parents of 3rd and 4th graders.

namibe-
thanks for the update on montclair state... do you know if the goal is to change/alter the program, or did the former director just leave on his own?

I will add that the Montclair State program is pretty expensive (and only on weekend mornings) -- I'd love to hear what sorts of opportunities might realistically be provided to an elementary school child via an IEP. I asked this once, and the only answers that I heard were about much older students taking courses at community college, or 8th graders advancing to high school math (I think...working from memory here).

Has anyone found solutions in our district for kids not fully served by our classroom differentiated education?

If he/she qualifies (based on high percentile scores on standardized tests), you can have your child tested through the CTY (Center for Talented Youth) at Johns Hopkins University and there are special programs available, both online/self study and summer resident programs, for children who qualify based on that additional testing. They are pretty expensive though. Our district doesn't publicize this to elementary parents, but there is an elementary school age division of CTY. The district does notify parents of children eligible for the middle school aged version, where the qualification test is an early taking of the SAT or ACT, usually in 7th grade.

The JHU/CTY website is at http://cty.jhu.edu/

As various posters point out, there are many G&T option available if one wants to spend a lot of money and use them as extracurricular enrichment, on top of any normal homework. Any clue if anyone has successfully used them (much less had them paid for!) within the school district/IEP framework? Not every gifted child is born into a family that can afford thousands of extra dollars a year for supplemental education.

Posted By: elizHuh? There is a very specific points system for the enrichment program which are sent to all parents of 3rd and 4th graders.

That's what I thought - my son was in it for 4th/5th...once you were notified (based on scores), then there was a meeting (which was worth attending, btw)...perhaps this has all changed this year - my next one in the pipeline isn't old enough yet.