- Allamuchy Township School District
- Gifted and Talented
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Allamuchy Township School District: Gifted and TalentedThe Allamuchy Township School District pursues a holistic approach in encouraging the educational growth of every student. We consider each student as an individual with particular strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, and varying motivations. The goal of the Allamuchy educational program is to develop young people who are curious, well rounded, knowledgeable, caring, respectful, and responsible, so that they can develop into self-sufficient and confident citizens, and members of a diverse society. Our district provides a continuum of services for exceptional learners in grades kindergarten through eight which are designed to address specific needs and levels of giftedness. The Allamuchy Township School District ensures that appropriate instructional adaptations are in place for identified students through our curriculum and educational support services, as well as a variety of enrichment, extra-curricular, and accelerated learning opportunities.What defines a student as gifted or talented or twice exceptional?The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) defines gifted students as: "Those students who possess or demonstrate high levels of ability, in one or more content areas, when compared to their chronological peers in the local district and who require modification of their educational program if they are to achieve in accordance with their capabilities." Advanced students are those with outstanding intellectual or academic abilities, in one or more content areas, when compared to their chronological peers in the local district. According to the National Association of Gifted Children (NAGC), the term “twice-exceptional,” also referred to as “2e,” is used to describe gifted children who have the characteristics of gifted students with the potential for high achievement and have one or more disabilities as defined by federal or state eligibility criteria.
A Strong Learner...
A Gifted Learner….
- Knows the answers
- Shows interest in topics
- Has good ideas
- Works hard
- Learns with ease
- Understands ideas
- Enjoys school
- Memorizes Quickly
- Asks the questions
- Is highly curious
- Has divergent, sometimes wild, ideas
- May not have to work hard to test well
- Already knows
- Requires 1-2 repetitions for mastery
- Constructs abstractions
- Manipulates information
- Creates a new design
- Enjoys learning
Identification Process Procedural Overview
The process for identifying gifted students is set forth in the Allamuchy Township Board of Education Policy 2464. It is undertaken each year and involves the evaluation of data for students already in our gifted education programs and those who have not yet received services. In Allamuchy, we use multiple measures to identify the exceptional and 2e learner. As outlined below, these measures differ based on the child's grade level.
- Grades K-3
- Star Math and Reading
- Student Mastery of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics
- Reading Inventory
- Writing piece
- Screening Assessment for Gifted Elementary and Middle School Students (SAGES-2)
- Teacher recommendation (Renzulli)
- Grades 4-8
- Star Math and Reading
- Overall Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Writing piece
- Screening Assessment for Gifted Elementary and Middle School Students (SAGES)
- Teacher recommendation
This data is then used to score the child on a rubric which calculates a composite score for each child.
Complaint Process
An individual who believes that the district has not complied with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:35-34 et seq. may file a complaint with the Board of Education. This policy for filing a complaint shall be linked to the homepage of the Board’s Internet website. The Board shall issue a decision, in writing, to affirm, reject, or modify the district’s action in the matter. The individual may then file a petition of appeal of the Board’s written decision to the Commissioner of Education through the Office of Controversies and Disputes in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:6-9 and the procedures set forth in State Board of Education regulations.